^bt  iLibratp 

of  tl)t 

£HniDet0itp  of  jQottj)  Carolina 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


jf/iLmUCOLLECliOH       ^'^L^ 


Cotton  Stealing. 


21  Nontl. 


—  "WnO  RICHEB  GAINS  BY  WEONa, 
IS  BUT  A  THIEF." 


CHICAaO: 

JOHN    Ri   WALSH    &    CO. 

1866. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1865, 

btj.  e.  chamberlain, 

In  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States, 
For  the  Northern  District  of  Illinois. 


CHICAGO:  CHICAGO  TYPE  FOITNBRT, 

J.W.TIDMARSn,  J.   CON  A  HAN, 

PBLSTER.  STEREOTTPER 


I>IlEFA.OE. 


Every  phase  of  the  Cotton  Trade,  within  the  army  » 
lines  durincr  the  war,  was  so  conducted  that  it  ob- 
tained  the  name  of  "  Cotton  Stealing  ;"  and  the 
parties  engaged  were  called  "  Cotton  Thieves." 
The  mere  fact  that  a  man  was  concerned  in  cotton 
speculating,  was  prima  facie  evidence  of  corruption, 
putting  the  speculator  before  Treasury  Agent,  Army 
Official,  and  Detective,  as  saying — 

*'  I  AM  IN  the  Market — Levy  Black-mail  on  me." 

Early  in  the  trade,  small  thieves  could  steal  small 
lots  of  cotton,  and  enjoy  the  proceeds.  After  Army, 
Treasury,  and  Navy  sharks  fell  on  their  track,  not 
only  their  profits,  but  the  cotton  and  capital  invested 
was  lost,  while  their  precious  bodies  were  oversha- 
dowed by  a  military  prison,  and  their  mouths  gagged 
by  a  bayonet.  Then  the  business  fell  into  the  hands 
of  g7'eat  thieves,  who  shall  be  nameless. 

"  Truth  is  stranger  than  fiction."  Although  every 
incident  set  forward  is  believed  to  be  true,  still,  as 
fiction,  the  work  must  either  stand  or  fall.  No  one 
man,  no  single  State,  nor  any  particular  year  is  de- 
signed. When  names  are  mentioned,  the  acts  are 
removed  as  far  as  possible,  to  prevent  identification ; 


.•1^1 


IV 

because,  although  founded  on  fact,  and  built  of  ma- 
terials furnished  by  actual  experience  of  the  cotton 
trade,  the  novel  is  a  witness  rather  than  judge — writ- 
ten by  no  believer  in  the  doctrine  of  human  perfec- 
tion, nor  the  possible  power  of  any  individual  to  re- 
model the  age,  nor  the  probability  of  a  single  work 
reaching  the  moral  heart  of  the  nation.  It  has  been 
•written  by  a  Western  man  as  a  cotemporaneous  no- 
vel, to  stand  the  test  of  to-day — by  a  Western  man 
whose  whole  nature  revolts  against  the  attempts  to 
deify  the  participants  of  the  war,  by  magnifying 
virtues  and  extenuating  faults,  in  some  cases  ignor- 
ing them  entirely.  There  is  one  tribunal  among  a 
free  people  which  no  wrong-doer  can  escape — en- 
lightened public  opinion.  At  its  bar  let  friends  and 
neighbors  try  every  officer  or  soldier  who  comes  home 
rich  beyond  his  monthly  pay.  Wealth  greater  than 
this  must  be  explained  to  the  home  tribunal,  which 
alone  can  inflict  the  punishment  of  public  condemna- 
tion. Will  they  do  it  ?  Keeping  this  in  mind  when- 
ever the  "I"  appears,  and  any  shall  ask — Who  is 
this  "I"?  this  is  the  answer  : — I  am  a  Western 
man  with  a  story  to  tell.  Will  any  one  read — will 
any  one  hear  it  ? 


CHAPTER  I. 

"Detail  for  picket— Fall  in,  fall  in!"  ''Count 
off."  "  One,  two — one,  two."  "  Shoulder  arms." 
*'  By  the  right  flank— file  left— March  !  "  "  Right 
shoulder  shift  arms — Forward  !  " 

Last  evening,  the  brigade  commander  sent  orders 
to  a  regiment  of  Missouri  Volunteers,  at  Helena,  Ar- 
kansas, to  detail  a  lieutenant,  sergeant,  corporal,  and 
fifteen  men  for  picket  duty.  * 

This  morning,  rub-a-dub-dub,  rub-a-dub-dub,  one, 
two,  three,  four  taps,  called  the  attention  of  the  men 
to  orderlies'  call.  On  their  return  from  the  colonel's 
headquarters,  each  reported  to  his  captain  the  order 
for  picket,  and  the  quota  allotted  to  their  company. 

"  Company  I.  One  corporal  and  five  privates  ;  " 
whereupon,  going  to  the  company  quarters,  the  or- 
derly sergeant  calls : 

"  Corporal  Jones." 

"  I  am  sick,"  he  answers,  crawling  out  of  his  tent, 


6  COTTON  STEALING. 

after  a  dozen  voices  have  called  "  Corporal  Jones," 
and  one  man  opened  the  tent  to  hunt  him  up. 

"  Sick  be  d — d  !  You  are  always  sick  when  your 
turn  comes  for  picket." 

"  I  am  sick,  orderly.  I  have  a  bad  cold  and  cough, 
and  the  Arkansas  quickstep,  so  I  can  hardly  move. 
I  reported  at  sick-call  this  morning,  and  got  some 
pills." 

"  Yes,  I  remember.  I  saw  you  eoing  to  the  bone- 
yard." 

"  Who  is  next  ?— Williams  ?  " 

''  He  is  on  guard  to  day,"  said  one  of  the  boys. 
"  There  is  Henry." 

"  My  turn  comes  to-morrow.  Don't  put  me  on. 
Put  on  Manet." 

"  I  don't  want  to  put  him  on.  He  is  almost  sick. 
He  never  refuses,  sick  or  well,  and  I  would  rather 
favor  him  than  any  one  of  you." 

At  this  moment  the  captain  came  to  see  how  the  de- 
tail was  progressing.  Henry  was  a  favorite ;  the 
weather  was  cold  and  inclement  from  rain  ;  and  he 
took  sides. 

"  Put  on  Manet." 

"  As  you  say.  Captain,"  said  the  orderly,  '*  but  it  is 
rather  hard  on  a  good  man."  He  was  unwilling  to 
oppose  the  captain,  for  promotion  depended  on  keep- 
ing the  right  side  of  his  officers  ;  moreover  the  captain 
did  not  like  Manet,  and  the  orderly  knew,  as  did  the 
captain,  that  no  other  corporal  could  get  men  to  go 
with  him  on  picket  more  readily  than  that  same 
Manet. 

RBC 
McU 


COTTON   STEALING. 


"  Corporal  Manet." 

"  Here  !  "  A  young  man,  not  more  than  twenty- 
five,  came  out  of  a  tent  in  answer  to  the  call — a  firm, 
quiet  man — not  six  feet,  nor  below  five-fcet-six,  whose 
answer,  ''here''  was  characteristic. 

"  You  will  report  to  the  adjutant  at  headquarters 
for  picket  duty,  immediately,  with  a  detail  of  five  men 
from  this  company." 

"Yes,  sir." 

The  detail  obtained  in  the  usual  manner,  reported. 
They  were  inspected  by  the  adjutant  and  found  cor- 
rect. Then  the  officer  in  charge  was  called  away,  and 
the  men  placed  themselves  at  ease,  growling  after  the 
manner  of  soldiers,  who,  when  ready  to  march,  are 
compelled  to  wait  for  some  dilatory  superior.  At 
length  the  lieutenant  came  and  gave  the  orders  which 
begin  this  chapter. 

The  picket-guard  were  in  plowing  dress— army 
blue— which  had  furrowed  the  long  land  from  St. 
Louis,  through  the  battle  of  Pea  Ri(%e,  and  the  rocky 
mountains,  barren  hills,  and  desolate  swamps  of 
northern  Arkansas.  A  blanket  rolled  into  a  cord,  was 
knotted  by  a  string  under  the  left  armpit ;  below  this 
bounced  a  haversack,  unbleached  m-uslin  when  new,  un- 
acquainted with  a  wash-tub  since  hardtack  and  cooked 
rations  were  introduced  long  months  ago.  Some  men 
wore  boots,  others  the  common  army  shoe.  Clothes 
and  shoes  stained  with  mud  ;  only  one  thing  bright, 
their  guns,  set  oif  by  the  inseparable  belt  and  ballot 
box,  which  contains  forty  votes  for  the  Union.  They 
marched   through   the  hamlet— soldiers  moving  are 


8  COTTON   STEALING. 

always  marching ;  but  little  does  that  word  march 
convey  the  motion  of  a  company  of  soldiers  through 
Helena  at  that  time.  The  soft  soil  of  the  Missis- 
sippi bottom,  wet  up  by  rain,  was  churned  by  the 
thousand  teams  of  mules,  and  by  wagon  wheels,  to 
neither  butter-milk  nor  butter.  In  some  places  the 
bottom  had  "fell  out."  The  side-walk  alone  was 
navigable,  in  some  places  hardly  that ;  crossings 
were  made  on  stepping-stones.  The  traveling  was 
abominable. 

To  call  the  insignificant  collection  of  houses  and 
stores,  the  two  hotels  and  three  small,  diminutive 
churches — the  collection  of  various  buildings  com- 
posing the  Southern  town  of  Helena,  a  hamlet,  may 
seem  arrogant  to  the  wild  bar  of  Arkansas,  whose 
idea  of  a  big  city  had  only  been  formed  from  Napo- 
leon and  Little  Rock,  while  any  one  of  those  four- 
teen thousand  soldiers  who,  under  General  Curtiss, 
won  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  and  cursed  the  miserable 
roads,  rugged  mountains,  and  thirsty  bottoms  they 
sweated  and  toiled  through,  in  their  long,  tedious 
march  to  the  Mississippi,  could  have  named  villages 
by  scores,  which,  without  a  millionaire  planter,  or  a 
negro  slave,  were  more  beautiful,  more  populous,  and 
possessed  more  of  the  true  essentials  of  a  city.  Yet 
the  town  of  Helena  was  the  outlet  of  all  the  cotton 
and  tobacco  of  a  large  and  rich  extent  of  territory, 
monopolized  by  a  few,  whose  interest  excluded  free 
labor  and  smothered  the  life  of  a  town  which,  under 
Northern  auspices.,  would  have  made  a  broad  mark  on 
the  history  of  the  nation.      Whatever   of  insignifi- 


COTTON   STEALING.  9 

cance  belonged  to  Helena  has  past ;  the  large  force 
which  occupied  and  fortified,  its  hills —  the  battle 
there  fought — its  important  relation  to  the  cotton 
trade,  have  become  history. 

Those  who  accompanied  that  march  will  remember 
how  beautiful,  how  inviting  the  sight,  how  superb 
the  emotion  as  the  first  glimpse  of  the  Mississippi 
fell  on  their  weary  columns,  toiling  over  the  hills  ; 
how  home-like  the  quiet  town,  dotted  by  a  few  man- 
sions of  wealthy  planters,  set  in  gardens  of  green ; 
they  will  remember  how  soon  wheels  of  army  trains 
cut  the  wet  streets  into  ruts,  until  ^'  no  bottom  " 
could,  "with  the  same  truth,  be  said  as  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, leaving  between  fence  and  fence  a  sea  of  mud  ; 
how  the  flock  of  carrion  birds  (camp  pirates,)  bastard 
offspring  of  sutler  shops — lit  on  the  gardens  and  front 
yards,  building  booths  of  cracker-boxes  and  fence- 
boards,  in  which  pickles,  ginger-bread,  old  eggs,  and 
spoiling  dainties  not  of  army  rations,  tempted  thir- 
teen dollars  per  month  out  of  privates'  pockets  ;  how 
soon  after,  followed  the  trade  store,  by  special  license 
of  the  commander-in-chief. 

The  streets  and  side-walks  were  full ;  mules  and 
wagons  were  in  knoe-deep  possession  of  the  straits  of 
mud.  Officers  in  shoulder-straps  and  pistols,  cavalry 
in  yellow  trimming,  sabres  and  pistols,  artillery-men 
in  pistols  and  red,  and  infantry  in  U.  S.  brass  and 
bayonets,  were  jostling  each  other  on  the  side-walk  in 
the  freedom  of  American  volunteers  passed  out  for 
the  day. 

Cake  shops,  cider  barrels,  cabbages,  onions,   pota- 


10  COTTON   STEALING. 

toes  and  apples,  were  great  centers  of  attraction. 
Whisky,  at  a  dollar  a  pint,  and  brandy  at  seven  and 
eight  doHars  per  gallon,  were  contraband,  and  sought 
with  all  the  avidity  of  contraband  goods.  Here  and 
there  some  boy-soldier  was  reminding  himself  of 
home  and  Fourth-of-July  by  a  dime's  worth  of  candy. 

All  the  blue  men  were  cheerful  and  happy.  They 
had  won  the  victory  of  Pea  Ridge  ;  New  Orleans 
was  in  our  hands — Donaldson,  Fort  Henry,  Island 
10,  Nashville,  Fort  Pillow  and  Memphis,  were  ours  ; 
and  they  themselves  were  in  comfortable  quarters, 
with  plenty  to  eat,  for  a  long  rest,  after  their  tedious, 
toilsome  campaign.  In  marked  contrast,  were  indi- 
viduals clad  in  tatters,  or  well-worn  homespun,  dyed 
by  oak  or  butternut  bark,  soured  into  the  hue  of 
dead  leaves  by  ignorance  of  civilization.  They  were 
secessionists  who  had  been  conquered — good  Union 
men  while  the  army  of  the  North  was  in  possession, 
looking  with  greedy  eyes  on  the  clothing,  boots,  and 
shoes,  pins  and  needles  of  the  J^^,  articles  of  which 
they  had  known  the  value  since  the  war  commenced. 
There  were  women,  too,  liot  vrcll  dressed*  as  New 
York  or  Paris  would  have  called  half-decent ;  com- 
mon calico  reduced  to  first  principles,  breadths  scanty 
as  before  slave  labor  had  made  clothing  cheap.  All 
made  way  for  the  guard  which  came  ploughing  along, 
elbowing  to  clear  themselves  of  the  Scylla  and 
Charybdis  of  mud,  dangerous,  with  no  song  of  the 
Syren. 

While  the  guard  was  passing  one  group  of  men 
and  women,  a  young  person  of  prepossessing  features, 


COTTON   STEALING.  11 

elegant  form  and  manner,  despite  her  poor  bonnet 
and  dress,  with  the  insolence  of  beauty,  and  know- 
ledge of  man's  natural  politeness,  with  the  dare  of  a 
proud,  unconquered  will,  maintained  her  dry  footing 
while  her  companions  shrank  shinglewise  by  the 
fence.  A  few  gave  her  the  road  unjostled,  others 
following  encroached,  until  the  line  of  guides  natu- 
rally came  where  she  was  standing.  The  rebel  female 
courted  insult,  conscious  of  ability  to  cut  more 
keenly.  The  sergeant  in  front  of  Corporal  Manet, 
who  was  acting  as  sergeant,  resented  the  position  by 
a  muttered  ''  She-devil,"  and  gave  her  the  place  ;  the 
corporal  caught  the  word,  looked,  and  their  eyes  met. 
The  eye  has  no  expression.  Taken  alone,  it  is 
simply  an  eye.  Cut  off  the  forehead,  hide  the  face 
below  the  under  lid,  and  every  expression  is  the  same. 
Mirth,  anger,  sparkle  of  passion,  flash  of  excitement, 
convey  no  meaning^ — nothing  but  an  eye  looking 
straight  forward.  Character  is  written  in  the  facial 
lines.  The  gentle  eye  has  a  gentle  heart  writing 
night  and  day  on  pliant  cheeks.  The  timid  eye  has 
a  heart  susceptible  to  the  slightest  wind  of  danger, 
putting  fear  on  the  lid  and  in  the  blood  to  blanch 
when  it  breezes.  The  blue  eye,  the  black  eye,  the 
gray  eye,  the  hazel  eye,  have  power  only  as  the  fea- 
tures write  or  have  been  written  distinctly  over  with 
the  inside  life  of  the  soul.  The  soft  eye,  hollow  eye, 
firm  eye,  have  meaning ;  as  brow,  nose,  cheek,  lips 
and  chin,  have  held  constant  intercourse  with  the 
emotions  of  each  day.  But  the  eye  has  its  tongue, 
its  daguerrean  power,  can  communicate,  can  receive 


12  COTTON    STEALING. 

electric  sympathies,  electric  antagonisms,  recognize 
weakness,  discover  strength :  alone,  it  is  nothing  ; 
combined  with  the  face  and  soul,  it  is  a  fighting  mem- 
ber that  reaches  beyond  fists,  declares  hostilities, 
and  informs  the  combatants  of  the  duration  of  the 
contest,  the  difficulty  of  victory  or  the  impossibility 
of  peace.  Some  eyes  say,  "Never,  never,  never!  I 
can  die — never,  never  will  I  yield  ;  you  may  vanquish, 
but  I  conquer  when  I  am  dead,"  These  eyes  thus 
meeting  said  these  words,  recogDized  tliis  will.  Be- 
fore any  contest  between  a  soldier  and  a  woman  was 
possible,  a  man  of  the  woman's  party  put  a  strong 
hand  on  her  shoulder  and  drew  her  from  the  way. 

"Le-ette!"  said  the  man.  She  started  at  his 
voice ;  she  yielded  to  his  hand.  Was  it  more  the 
hand  or  more  the  voice  power  ?  This  woman  yielded 
that  will  which  would  have  died  in  the  soldier's  path, 
to  the  voice,  the  hand  of  this  other  man,  who  had  an 
eye — a  black  eye — with  its  firm  "  never  "  as  firm  as 
her  own. 

When  the  guard  reached  the  outskirts  of  the  town, 
the  lieutenant  divided  his  command  into  three  squads, 
stationing  them  at  different  points  which  were  within 
his  instructions.  One  of  these  squads  of  men,  much 
smaller  than  the  others,  was  assigned  to  James  Manet, 
acting  sergeant,  who  had  been  stationed  here  before. 

"  Lieutenant,"  said  he,  "  you  are  making  the 
guard  too  small.  When  we  were  stationed  here,  this 
road  was  considered  most  important,  and  was  most 
carefully  guarded." 

"  Who  asked  your  advice?" 


COTTON    STEALING.  13 

"  I  only  offer  you  my  opinion." 

"  Opinion  be  hanged." 

"  I  only  do  my  duty." 

"  Your  duty  is  to  obey.  If  you  do  not  keep  a 
cool  tongue  I  will  put  you  under  arrest.  Fall  in 
guard — March  !" 

In  silence  the  men  proceeded  to  occupy  the  post 
assigned  them.  They  reached  the  top  of  a  hill, 
where  they  paused  a  moment  for  breath.  Some  had 
been  here,  and  knew  the  place  as  selected  by  their 
commander  for  the  picket-post — a  place  admirably 
adapted  to  watch  all  the  surrounding  country,  and 
particularly  the  road  they  were  guarding.  Of  course 
they,  as  volunteers  will,  began  to  break  ranks. 

"  Who  in  Lucifer  told  you  to  stop  ?  Take  your 
place  in  the  ranks.  Forward  !  until  I  order  you  to 
halt." 

"  Lieutenant,  this  is  the  only  safe  picket- post  on 
this  road  for  a  mile.  I  have  been  over  the  ground, 
and  know." 

"  Corporal,  speak  when  you  are  spoken  to.  This 
is  the  second  time  you  have  meddled.  Be  careful  not 
to  do  it  again." 

The  Lieutenant  led  his  men  down  the  hill,  looking 
for  a  post,  passed  over  a  bottom,  then  up  and  down  a 
short  swell,  and  stationed  his  guard  under  a  walnut 
— a  huge,  hoary  giant  with  Briarean  hands,  each 
finger-end  a  leaf;  an  agreeable  spot,  but  unpro- 
tected on  either  flank,  dangerous  in  front,  and  sus- 
ceptible of  being  cut  off  in  the  rear. 

The  men  saw  their  danger,  but  would  not  remon- 


14  COTTON   STEALING. 

%trate  witli  their  officer,  who  had  no  extraordinary 
surplusage  of  brain^  and  was  "  putting  on  style  "  for 
effect. 

During  the  day  he  remained  with  them,  attending 
to  his  duty  as  officer  of  the  picket,  examining  passes 
and  permits,  and  searching  for  articles  contraband  of 
war.  ToAvard  evening,  he  put  the  guard  into  the 
corporal's  hands  while  he  went  away. 

Soon  after,  so  soon  as  almost  to  seem  that  he  left 
to  avoid  responsibility,  wheels  were  heard  approach- 
ing. The  guard  prepared  to  fire,  but  the  drivers 
seemed  intent  to  stop,  and  the  miserable  place  was 
good  excuse  for  apparent  violation,  or  full  intention 
to  pass  beyond  army  lines.  A  number  of  women 
were  riding  in  each  wagon  and  no  one  could  fire  on 
them.  There  were  also  several  male  and  female 
riders  on  horseback,  in  the  rear,  who  at  the  same 
time  halted  at  the  headquarters  of  the  picket. 

Here  was  abundance  of  trpuble.  Nightfall,  wag- 
ons loaded,  a  large  company,  whose  passes  must  be 
examined  and  "  plunder  "  searched.  All  were  impa- 
tient to  proceed.  The  responsible  officer  on  duty  was 
absent,  and  a  corporal,  with  this  small  guard,  com- 
pelled to  do  it  alone.  It  looked  like  treachery — it 
looked  like   Cotton. 

The  corporal  knew  his  duty.  Stationing  a  man  at 
each  flank  approach,  he  ordered  the  guard  to  form  a 
line  around  the  men  and  women,  while  he  and  two 
men  proceeded  up  the  hill  and  examined  the  wag- 
ons. 

Immediately  the   butternuts   began    to   show  the 


COTTON   STEALING.  16 

passes,  their  permits,  and  deprecate  delay,  to  occupy 
his  time  by  clamorous  calls  for  imspii^iate  attention, 
protesting  against  detention,  aC^  night  was  near, 
pleading  to  go  on,  reiterating  in  loud  tones  their 
faithful  Unionism.  Their  earnestness  was  suspicious  ; 
they  were  too  officious.  He  asked  them  if  the  teams 
belonged  to  them  ;  they  answered  "  Yes." 

"  Then  you  will  wait  here  until  I  see  them  all 
right.  If  I  find  anything  wrong,  you  shall  go  to 
Helena  together." 

As  he  reached  the  foremost  wagon,  one  of  the 
women  asked  permission  to  speak  to  the  officer  in 
charge.  She  had  chosen  her  man  skilfully,  and  en- 
forced her  request  by  a  smile^  in  the  soldier's  dialect 
— a  bottle  of  whisky.  She  walked  her  horse  to  the 
opposite  side  of  the  wagon  from  the  corporal,  then, 
suddenly  starting,  the  animal  flew  up  the  hill. 

"Halt,  or  I  fire." 

The  woman  did  not  even  give  him  a  glance,  but 
rode  more  swiftly.  As  he  spoke  the  corporal  sprang 
to  the  road-side.  His  gun  dropped  to  a  sight ;  the 
report,  the  zip,  zip,  zip,  of  the  minie-ball,  and  the 
dropping  of  her  liorse  in  tlie  road  followed. 

"Back!  back  ! — stand  back,  I  tell  you,"  said  the 
guard  to  the  prisoners,  who  would  have  rushed  to  see 
were  she  dead  or  alive.  The  woman  rose  from  the 
ground  and  then  fell  on  the  neck  of  her  horse.  The 
corporal  loaded  his  Springfield  rifle  on  the  run,  and 
she  confronted  the  same  eyes  that  had  met  her's  now 
full  of  tears,  when  he  said, 

"  You  are  my  prisoner." 


16  COTTON  STEALING. 

Instinctively  the  woman  put  her  hand  to  her  pocket. 
The  movement  was  such  that  the  corporal  said,  put- 
ting his  bayonet  at  a  charge  before  her  breast : 

"  Hand  me  your  pistol." 

In  his  eye  she  read  a  will,  firm  as  her  own.  She 
changed  her  determination,  drew  out  her  pass,  and  as 
she  gave  it  to  him,  the  spirit  of  resistance  asked  : 

''  Why  did  you  kill  my  horse  ?" 

"  Your  pass  is  correct.  Why  did  you  attempt  to 
run  the  guard?" 

She  made  no  reply,  her  attention  being  called  to 
the  horse  struggling  to  get  up. 

"  I  thought  I  creased  him,"  said  the  corporal.  But 
when  he  put  out  his  hand  to  take  the  bridle,  the 
animal,  which  had  recovered,  jumped  away.  At  a 
word  from  his  mistress  the  horse  came,  and  the 
woman  put  her  arms  about  the  animal's  neck,  again 
shedding  tears,  and  saying,   "Janie — dear  Janie." 

The  corporal  noticed  that  her  hand  was  twisted  in 
the  mane,  and  not  knowing  but  she  might  again  try 
to  escape,  advanced  and  took  the  rein. 

Le-ette  looked  at  him,  drawing  her  upper  lip  like 
an  iron  ligature  around  her  front  teeth,  which  glis- 
tened with  a  deadly  white,  while  impatiently  gnawing 
her  lower  lip.     With  a  mighty  effort  restraining  the . 
volcano  within,  she  said, 

"  You  might  have  shot  me." 

He  answered  proudly,  ''I  should  not  have  killed  a 
woman.  You  had  no  reason  to  run  guard,  unless,  "  A 
guilty  conscience  needs  no  accuser."  Stand  one  side 
I  shall  have  to  search  you.     Perhaps  you  are  a  spy." 


COTTON  STEALING.  ij 

Then  he  continued  to  himself,  "Where  can  that 
lieutenant  be?" 

"I  -wish  he  was  here,"  said  she. 
"Bad I    Bad — business.      There  are    too    many — 
something  is  wrong  I     AVhat  can  I  do?" 

Then,  he  ordered  a  man  to  take  her  to  the  others, 
and  "watch  her  closely." 

He  went  to  the  wagons,  took  the  papers  offered, 
and  found  them  official  and  correct.  If  he  was  only 
sure  the  articles  were  none  but  those  permitted,  they 
might  pass.  That  was  the  rub ;  that  was  why  he  was 
here  stationed.  Every  parcel  ought  to  be  examined. 
Then  it  flashed  over  him  that  they  belonged  to  the 
party  of  the  female  who  had  attempted  to  escape,  and 
all  ought  to  be  detained. 

Le-ette  spoke  to  a  man  of  the  company,  when  she 
came  back,  and  the  corporal  found  them  posted  when 
he  asked,  "does  this  person  belong  to  you?"  The 
man  answered,  "Nol"  though  there  was  a  half  "yes;" 
and  one  who  had  not  received  the  hint  was  checked 
by  the  emphatic  injunction,  prefaced  by  an  impreca- 
tion on  his  soul — "Dry  up." 

A  faithful  picket  is  suspicious.  He  has  no  right  to 
take  anything  for  granted.  Eyes,  ears,  the  whole 
consciousness  ask  questions,  receiving  the  plainest 
answers  with  a  doubt.  Tens  of  thousands  of  minds 
are  consolidated  in  him.  The  Hfe  of  the  army  is  in 
his  keeping.  The  responsibility  admits  of  no  tem- 
porizing, gives  no  discretion,  and  calls  for  absorbing 
attention.  Where  was  the  heutenant,  officer  of  the 
2 


18  COTTON  STEALING. 

picket?  Gone — bought  off.  In  an  instant  James  had 
decided. 

"Turn  back  every  one  of  those  teams  ;  takeout  the 
horses  and  corral  them  under  the  trees.  The  rest 
take  positions  and  keep  the  whole  company  under 
guard  until  the  lieutenant  comes.  I  shall  report  him 
for  leaving  his  post." 

The  women  and  men  were  not  in  tears.  Sterner 
emotions  dry  up  such  moisture  in  contact  with  war. 
Actual  starvation,  absolute  destitution  of  comforts 
and  luxuries,  had  compelled  them  to  seek  the  Federal 
lines,  to  take  an  oath  they  hated,  to  humiliate  them- 
selves before  a  clerk  of  the  Treasury  Department,  to 
beg  like  a  slave  for  the  addition  of  one  pair  of  shoes, 
one  more  pound  of  coffee,  of  sugar,  of  tea,  one  more 
pattern  of  calico,  one  more  box  of  pills  ;  .when  this 
was  over,  a  similar  battle  had  to  be  fought  with  a 
clerk  of  the  provost-marshal ;  and  even  then,  the 
chief,  with  a  pen-stroke,  dashed  out  the  choicest 
hopes.  Afterward  the  commanding  general,  in  some 
unaccountable  way,  had  interfered,  and  now,  neces- 
sity, not  the  lighter  task-master,  regarded  inexorable 
in  peace,  but  the  inflexible,  stern,  heartless  necessity 
of  war  arrested  them  on  the  lines,  within  sight  of  the 
promised  land  of  secessia,  where  they  would  be  safe. 
They  were  almost  escaped,  almost  home,  almost  free 
— one  move  more  !  In  such  a  moment  the  soul  poises, 
as  a  sailor  who  has  mounted  the  shrouds,  passed  man- 
ropes  and  foot-ropes,  clear  above  royal-stays,  until  he 
has  climbed  the  naked  spar,  and  stands  on  the  main- 
royal-mast   truck — poises   on   the   brink  of   a  great 


COTTON  STEALING.  19 

hope.  They  were  almost  home.  That  order  dashed 
their  hopes  to  the  bottom.  Arrested! — Prisoners  ! — 
oaths  all  nothing,  goods  seized — confiscated.  The 
future  was  bottomless  as  the  ocean.  They  crowded 
around  the  private,  who  by  the  fortune  of  the  hour 
held  their  destiny  in  his  hands,  to  try  if  they  could 
persuade  him  to  let  them  go.  They  besought,  en- 
treated, threatened,  promised. 

At  this  moment  one  of  the  guard  fired.  With  the 
report  came  the  sound  of  horses'  feet.  The  sight  of 
his  men  scatteriag  into  the  bush,  the  volley,  and  the 
answering  pistol  shots,  together  with  the  charge  of 
the  guerillas,  was  instantaneous.  Dropping  Le-ette'? 
bridle,  which  he  had  retained,  the  corporal  leveled 
his  musket,  whereon  came  a  flash,  with  its  report. 
One  guerilla  in  advance  threw  up  his  arms,  and  drop- 
ped from  his  horse.  A  foot  remaining  in  the  stirrup, 
his  head  was  dragged  against  the  rough  road,  until 
the  saddle  turned,  and  the  afii'ighted  animal,  mad- 
dened with  terror,  disposed  of  both  seat  and  rider. 
A  howl  of  rage  fell  from  the  gang.  Two  avengers 
spurred  up,  one  with  sword,  the  other  with  leveled 
pistol.  One  horseman's  arm  was  broken  by  a  blow 
from  a  musket.  The  same  blow  changed  to  the 
guard-against-cavalry,  receiving  a  deep  dent  from  the 
sword  it  warded  oif.  The  riders  were  carried  past 
by  their  impetus,  one  with  the  addition  of  a  bayonet- 
thrust  also,  to  take  along.  The  next  ridei  drove  his 
horse  over  the  corporal,  taking  his  swora  from  his 
head  as  the  horse's  chest  struck  his  right  side;  this 
impetuous  rush  felled  the  Union   soldier  prostrate, 


20  COTTON  STEALING. 

and,  as  if  that  were  not  enough,    a  stone-cut  opened 
his  left  temple. 

When  the  corporal  awoke  to  consciousness  he  was 
jolting  through  dark  woods,  his  body  promiscuously 
doubled  over  the  articles  in  one  of  the  wagons  ;  rain 
was  falling  in  his  face ;  he  was  wounded,  and  a  pris- 
oner. He  tried  to  move,  intense  pain  admonished 
him  of  the  uselessness  of  any  attempt  to  escape.  He 
felt,  and  found  three  ribs  broken ;  then  he  thought  of 
home,  of  mother — and  wished  to  die. 


tV. 


^- 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  party  came  to  a  lialt  about  clayliglit,  opposite 
Friars'  Point.  Here  a  man,  not  captain,  neither 
officer  nor  member  of  the  band,  took  charge  of  affairs. 
A  mysterious  power  belonged  to  him.  Savage  speci- 
mens of  humanity,  regardless  of  their  superiors, 
treated  him  with  deference — a  deference  he  acknow- 
leged  with  that  quiet  dignity  which  accompanies  men 
conscious  of  authority.  The  tie  which  bound  them 
was  not  the  war-link  of  officer  and  soldier.     Said  he : 

"  We  will  now  divide  the  plunder." 

As  soon  as  he  had  spoken,  a  shaggy  ruffian  ex- 
claimed— 

"I'll  be  dyed  ef  yuh  do  !" 

"  Then,  you  will  be  dyed." 

It  gives  pain  to  think  of  the  grevious,  shocking 
profanity  which  is  the  usual  dialect  of  passion.  The 
war  was  impregnated  with  oaths  as  with  an  atmos- 
phere. All  must  breathe  air  :  with  each  breath  of 
such  ah  comes  a  certain  pollution.  Still,  no  true 
history  can  be  written  which  fails  to  notice  this  char- 
acteristic iniquity ;  nor  can  an  accurate  representa- 
tion of  the  men  who  act  in  these  pages  be  made  with- 
out an  indication  of  the  hot  words  steaming,  fetid, 


22  COTTON   STEALING. 

from  their  tainted  souls.  The  language  of  heaven 
cannot  come  from  the  heart  of  a  demon.  To  avoid 
this  as  much  as  possible,  the  changes,  present,  past, 
and  future,  of  the  word  "  damn,"  are  rung  upon  the 
word  "  dead'' — since  the  dead  only  can  receive  that 
punishment  of  awful  fire  and  brimstone  which  is  com- 
passed in  the  eternal  penalty  '^  damned."  Men  whose 
hearts  are  a  sewer,  have  a  mouth  from  whose  funnel 
vapors  pour  (as  cones  in  a  volcanic  crater  send  forth 
noxious  gasses),  foul  mouths,  always  in  eruption, 
belching  oaths,  as  ^tna  or  Vesuvius  throw  out  rocks. 
This  guerilla  was  such  an  one,  and  speaks,  first  in- 
voking the  Almighty : 

'*-  We  need  them  'ar,  a  heap  mor'n  them  uns,  'nd 
ef  we'd'nt  come  in,  whar'd  they  be  ?  They  'longs 
t'us  ;  our  boys  paid  for  'um — what's  berrying  yon- 
der.*' 

A  ferocious  gleam  passed  through  his  eyes.  The 
calm  demeanor  and  conscious  strength,  the  acquies- 
cence of  others  who  gathered  around,  and  another 
something,  of  which  the  guerilla  knew,  held  bound  his 
hand,  ready  to  shoot  with  the  deadly  revolver.  Sla- 
very produces  material  for  cold-blooded  assassins. 
They  existed  before  the  war  ;  they  have  multiplied 
like  August-flies  since,  and  the  nearer  the  destruc- 
tion [it  is  not  yet  destroyed,]  of  their  pet  institution 
— that  sum  of  all  villainies — approaches,  do  many 
more  threaten  to  become  guerillas,  cut-throats,  ban- 
dits, and  assassins,  if  their  way  is  not  given  them. 

As  if  recognizing  the  inevitability  of  those  words, 
the  uselessness  of  contending  against  the  band^  that 


COTTON   STEALING.  23 

point  was  abandoned ;  but  only  to  open  a  valve  for 
suppressed  fury,  which  found  expression  upon  the 
prisoners. 

There  were  four  unwounded  ;  two  others  beside  the 
corporal  wounded.  These  last  had  been  moved  from 
the  wagons,  and  were  lying  beside  a  tree.  All  were 
under  guard,  but  the  wounded  were  not  so  closely 
watched  ;  there  was  no  danger  of  their  running  away. 
This  blood-hound  [Can  the  Chinese  doctrine  of  trans- 
migration of  souls  be  true  ?]  in  human  shape,  when 
unable  to  bite  his  superior,  drawing  his  pistol  on  one 
under  guard,  was  on  the  point  of  firing,  when  the 
sentinel  checked  him,  saying  : 

"  Oh,  Hugo  !  Jim,  what's  the  use  ?  Let  'em 
starve  at  Belle  Isle." 

'•  l}j ,  that's  so  !  "  adding,  "  I  must  kill  some- 
body.    I'm  dyed  wolfish  this  morning." 

"Then  give  it  to  that  one,"  was  the  reply;  the 
guard  pointing  to  a  poor  soldier  in  Union  blue,  whose 
leg  was  broken  by  a  ball  above  the  knee. 

The  prisoner  heard  the  remark,  and  attempted  to 
avoid  death.  So  strong  is  hope  of  life — so  strong 
the  hope  of  living  through  all  this  torture,  to  meet  a 
wife  and  child  at  home  he  raised  himself  on  his  hands 
to  crawl  away  on  the  unshattered  knee,  drawing  his 
useless  leg  after  him  in  its  bloody  garment. 

The  guerilla,  profanely  ejaculating  His  name  who 
died  for  sinners,  added,  "  See  the  hog  escape  !"  then 
placed  his  gun-barrel  [he  had  put  up  his  pistol,]  at 
the  man's  ear,  and  fired  the  charge  thrpugh  his  head. 

The  wad  and  ten  buck-shot  enter,  making  a  hole 


24  COTTON   STEALING. 

the  size  of  a  door-knob — but  leave  none  of  the  other 
side.  Shot,  skull,  brains,  blood,  and  soul,  went  out 
together ;  and  then  tlie  guerilla  kicked  the  lifeless 
form.     Another  came  up  to  see  the  ^' sport,"  cursed 

him  in  hell-dialect  for  a  " fool,  to  waste  a  shot 

on  a  Yankee  skunk  who  couldn't  git  up  an'  git." 

Others  also  gathered  to  see  the  doings ;  among 
them  an  officer.  To  him  one  said  :  "  Jim  has  finished 
one  dyed  son  of  a  Yankee  log  of  wood  ;  and,  by  the 
way,  his  foot  is  planted  on  that  ar  one's  belly.  I 
reckon  his  biler'l  bust." 

The  prisoner  subjected  to  this  indignity,  scarcely 
twenty-one,  was  almost  girlish  in  appearance.  A 
heart  too  large  for  his  body  volunteered  to  endure 
the  hardships  of  war.  The  poor  frame,  after  the  pri- 
vations, almost  starvation,  of  the  march,  had  been 
drained  of  its  life  by  the  fearful  camp  dysentery ; 
yet  the  heart,  the  will,  never  refused  duty  ;  went  on 
picket,  stood  faithful  at  his  post,  was  wounded  by  a 
pistol-shot  in  the  abdomen,  and  was  dying  before  that 
cruel  foot  crushed  its  weight  down.  Then  the  officer 
spoke,  invoking  the  Almighty — 

" rot  yom'  soul,  Jim.     What  are  you  doing  ?" 

^'  He  was  trying  to  escape." 
.    "  The  sarpint !  he  was  !     Don't  you  see   death  in 
his  face?" 

"  I  kinder  reckon  he  won't  run  much  furder  ;  didn't 
calkerlate  he  shood.  That  ar  'un  I'll  fix  him  'fore 
I'm  dun." 

The  corporal  sat  against  a  tree,  bolstered  thus  by 
one  who  had  a  remnant  of  soul.     It  was  the  easiest 


COTTON   STEALINGK  25 

position  lie  could  lay  in  ;  and  from  it  he  could  witness 
the  horrid  scene,  and  anticipate  the  future  which 
awaited  him.  His  thoughts  were  like  those  of  the 
drowning.  The  solid  memory  of  the  past  and  this 
experience  were  present — a  picture  in  which  every 
thought  had  the  identity  of  a  leaf,  limb,  tree — a 
brain-forest,  whose  foliage,  distinct  as  reality,  was 
imperishable  as  eternity. 

lie  saw  his  mother  in  her  mourning  widowhood, 
and  in  the  mind-laden  duties  of  to-day,  happy  in  ig- 
norance of  him  threatened  with  death — felt  the  sus- 
pense, when  the  lagging  report  of  his  company,  at- 
tacked on  picket,  reached  her ;  endured  the  throbs  of 
dread,  passing  in  combat  with  wishes  of  hope,  that 
the  missing  might  prove  alive.  Dreary,  so. dreary, 
to  live  betwixt  and  between  death  and  life,  sustained 
by  the  possibility  contained  in  the  word  "missing." 
Home,  native  state,  sisters,  loved  one,  country,  the 
future  of  the  war,  his  foster-brother's  death  and 
lonely  burial ;  this  attack  ;  comrades  dead — happy 
to  be  shot  dead.  This  torture  from  a  human  form  I 
Oh,  there  must  be  a  hell !  If  there  is  no  hell,  let 
all  decent  people  call  that  part  guerillas  frequent  in 
heaven  by  the  name  Hell  !  and  keep  away  from  it. 
His  mind  was  illuminated,  as  a  forest  in  a  midnight 
storm  is  lit  up  by  an  unearthly  flash  of  lightning,  re- 
vealing an  infinity  of  impression  during  the  short  in- 
stant, between  the  words  of  the  men,  as  they  left  the 
gasping  boy  and  came  to  him. 

No  word  of  expostulation,  no  appeal  for  mercy 
fell  from  the  corporal's  lips.     He  would  no  more  ex- 


26  -COTTON   STEALING. 

pect  or  ask  this  of  that  creature  than  of  a  carniverous 
animal,  whose  eye  shone  implacable  over  a  hungry 
open  jaw,  whose  glittering  fangs  contrasted  savagely 
with  a  long  red  tongue,  dripping  with  anticipation. 
He  looked  not  him,  but  death,  in  the  eye — an  eye 
alike  in  man  or  beast — seen  before  with  a  will  which 
kept  every  muscle  firm — kept  his  eye  unmoved. 

A  groan,  the  last  expiring  labor  of  the  young  life, 
attracted  a  new  observer  to  the  scene — Leette,  ridins 
by  with  the  captain.  They  were  in  season  to  see  a 
blow — a  cowardly  assassin's  answer  to  a  steady  look, 
which  knocked  the  corporal  prostrate,  whence  slowly, 
with  great  agony,  he  was  only  able  to  lift  his  head, 
put  it  on  the  hand  of  his  unwounded  arm,  and  turn 
his  face  to  them.  His  eye  met  Leette's^  and  she  re- 
cognized— not  entreaty,  nor  defiance — but  endur- 
ance, waiting  without  fear  or  hope. 

"  Hell-cat  I  "  she  exclaimed.  That  poor  white,  of 
no  account,  not  even  a  nigger,  ornary,  trash,  was  an 
object  of  loathing.  All  of  nobleness  in  her  nature 
revolted  against  a  blow  upon  a  wounded  man — one 
who  was  too  chivalrous  to  shoot  a  ^oman  when  he 
had  the  right.  The  man  looked  to  his  captain,  and 
said : 

"  He  killed  two  of  we  'uns,  'nd  I  thout  I'd  spare 
the  trouble  of  totinor  his  carcass  to  t'other  side." 

o 

^'That's  so,'-'  said  the  captain.  "We  cannot  be 
bothered  with  wounded." 

"  I  fixed  them  'uns,"  said  the  brute,  pointing  to 
the  two  dead  men,  with  the  assured  look  of  one  con- 
fident of  approval. 


COTTON   STEALING.  2T 

Bj  this  time  the  whole  band  were  gathered  about 
the  prisoner,  and  among  them  the  citizen  who  had 
been  dividing  the  spoil.     He  asked  : 

"  Who  will  take  care  of  him  ?  " 

"  Leave  him  in  the  bush,"  said  some  one,  "  to  starve 
and  become  food  for  hogs  and  turkey-buzzards." 

"  Let  me  kill  him,"  said  another. 

^'  Throw  him  into  the  river,"  was  the  voice  of  a 
third ;  while  a  fourth  used  the  English  classic  which 
we  have  changed  to  "dead,"  and  exclaimed,  in  con- 
tempt : 

"  What  a  dyed  fuss  about  a  dyed  Yankee !  " 

"  Will  any  one  be  responsible  for  him  ?  "  asked  the 
captain. 

No  one  replied.  The  band,  with  a  roving  com- 
mission, had  no  fixed  T][uarters ;  no  surgeon,  no  hos- 
pital. Their  ^wn  men  were  abandoned  to  the  chance 
of  care  which  the  poor  white's  hovel  or  the  slave's 
cabin  afforded. 

''  I  reckon  I  mout  's  well  send  him  tu  hell,  'long 
with  t'others.  I  don't  often  ax  yah.  Captain ;  I'd 
take  it  mighty  kind  on  you  to  guv  this  yer." 

Before  the  captain  could  reply,  the  citizen  above 
alluded  to  asked  : 

"Did  your  mother  ever  keep  boarders,  in  New 
Haven?" 

The  young  man  was,  from  pain,  unable  to  speak, 
but  nodded  "yes." 

"  I  thought  so.  I  boarded  at  her  house.  Leette, 
that  chap  made  my  fire,  and  blacked  my  boots,  when 
I  was  in  college.     Can't  you  do  for  him  ?  " 


28  COTTON   STEALING. 

"  Yes  ;  give  him  to  me.     I  will  take  care  of  him." 

Leette  perceived  a  frovrn  of  disapproval,  which 
was*not  confined  to  privates.  Their  indignation  was 
braved  by  this  defiant  excuse : 

^'  He  spared  my  horse ;  I  would  spare  him  for  that. 
Janie  has  done  more  than  you  all  together  ;  I  would 
not  exchange  her  for  a  dozen  Yankees." 

"You  hear  what  the  lady  says?"  The  captain 
addressed  the  corporal.  "  Give  your  parole  of  honor 
not  to  attempt  to  escape." 

"  No  !  "  was  his  reply — hardly  heard,  it  was  so  low 
— ^unmistakable  from  the  emphatic  negative  of  the 
head. 

Put  the  word  "  dog  "  after  three  strong,  profane 
intensives,  and  you  have  what  the  guerilla  captain 
said  ;  follow  them  by  "  Bully  for  you  !  He  has  good 
pluck  ;  I  like  him  the  better.  I  will  take  the  respon- 
sibility ;  he  cannot  run  at  present:"  and  you  have 
what  Leette  said — the  words  that  decided  the  ques- 
tion, and  saved  liis  life. 

There  were,  however,  murmurs  of  discontent  among 
the  men ;  one  face,  in  particular,  was  black  as  a 
thunder-cloud.  The  storm  was  not  to  be.  The  citi- 
zen leader  had  reasons  for  keeping  peace.  He  ad- 
dressed them  : 

"  Boys,  you  can  afford  to  give  Miss  Leette  her 
own  way,  when  you  know  how  she  has  outwitted  the 
Yankees.  The  barrels  of  salt  she  brought  from  He- 
lena have  powder  and  caps  for  you  all ;  the  barrel 
of  sugar  is  sugar  only  on  the  outside — the  inside  is 
made  up  of  quinine  and  morphine.    I  cannot  tell  you 


COTTON   STEALING.  29 

everything  she  has  brought  through  the  lines  ;  but 
you  can  judge  of  its  value  to  our  army  when  I  assure 
vou  its  cost  was  twenty  thousand  dollars  in  green- 
backs. Nor  is  this  all.  She  has  brought  for  you  a 
supply  of  army-shoes.  There  are  a  few  dozen  woolen 
shirts,  and  a  choice  collection  of  other  valuable  arti- 
cles. These  are  all  for  you.  Now  you  can  under- 
stand our  anxiety  to  get  these  wagons  safely  through 
the  Federal  hnes.  You  know  why  I  insisted  on  the 
attack,  and  forbade  your  burning  the  "  cotton  "  you 
brought  in.  It  is  true,  we  have  lost  some  of  our 
brave  boys,  but  their  lives  are  well  spent  for  their 
country — they  have  bought  medicines,  ammunition — 
articles  priceless,  as  we  were  destitute. 

Some  of  you  were  unwilling  to  give  a  share  of  the 
"  plunder  "  to  those  women  who  brought  it  out ;  they 
did  not  know  that  it  was  only  through  them  Miss 
Leette  got  the  permits  which  concealed  these  articles. 
Now,  when  you  know  that  your  own  share,  the  pro- 
portion of  the  government,  is  not  diminished  by  the 
small  lot  they  receive,  I  am  sure  you  will  have  no 
objections  to  their  return  home  with  all  I  have  given 
them." 

'^  No,  no,  no  !"  responded  the  band,  astonished  at 
the  magnitude  of  the  operation  in  which  they  had, 
unwittingly,  been  engaged.  Leette,  too,  was  aston- 
ished. No  one  but  the  cotton  speculator,  and  his 
agents  in  Memphis,  knew  of  the  secret  importance  of 
those  rusty  barrels  of  salt,  and  flour,  and  sugar — the 
contents  of  those  harmless  boxes  of  ladies'  wearing 
apparel.     Nor  can  any  one,  who  has  not  made   the 


30  COTTON   STEALING. 

experiment,  form  an  idea  of  the  amount  of  valuable 
war  material  which  can  be  compressed  into  a  very 
small  space.  The  cotton  speculator  was  not  yet  done. 
He  noted  the  change  among  the  guerillas,  deter- 
mined it  should  be  complete,  and  continued — 

'^  When  Miss  Leette  was  coming  out  she  saw  the 
teams  had  been  stopped,  and  knew  all  was  lost  if  any 
examination  was  made.  By  agreement,  the  officer 
in  charge  of  the  picket  was  away — but  his  subaltern 
was  too  honest.  He  had  ordered  the  whole  party 
under  arrest.  On  this,  Leette,  at  the  peril  of  her  life, 
dashed  by  the  guard  to  come  to  you  and  obtain  aid. 
This  man  fired — the  shot  which  gave  us  the  alarm — 
and  brought  us  so  opportunely  on  the  ground.  Had 
he  chosen,  he  might  have  killed  Leette ;  as  it  was,  he 
did  not  even  wound  her  horse.  Here  is  the  bonnie 
mare  to-day,  ready  for  another  brush  ;  or,  and  I  may 
as  well  tell  you  this,  now,  ready  to  take  Miss  Leette 
to  Yazoo  City  with  some  most  important  news  which 
she  has  obtained,  of  a  new  expedition  against  Vicks- 
burg — Gen.  Grant's  design  to  attack  in  the  rear, 
while  McClernand  and  Sherman  go  down  the  river 
and  attack  in  front.  She  will  make  the  trip  in  thirty 
hours — impossible  without  the  bonnie  bay  mare 
Janie  !" 

"  Hurrah  for  Miss  Leette,  and  the  bonnie  bay 
mare  !  "  said  the  guerilla  captain.  And  three  hearty 
cheers  were  given  with  a  will. 

"Now,"  resumed  this  man,  "I  vouch  for  Miss 
Leette's  having  no  share  in  a  single  article  she  has 
so  successfully  brought  out,  and  ask,  shall  she  not 


COTTON   STEALING.  31 

have  the  man  who  spared  her  mare  ? — I  may  say  her 
own  life  ;  especially  when  the  prisoner,  as  soon  as 
he  gets  well  enough  to  march,  will  be  sent  to  prison 
at  Richmond,  where  he  will  be  exchanged  for  a  better 
man,  now  in  a  Yankee  prison  ;  or  where  he  may  have 
the  pleasure  of  catching  the  small-pox,  or  starving  to 
death  in  the  glorious  old  Libby,  or  on  the  sands  of 
Belle  Isle?" 

"Let  her  have  the  dyed  Yankee."  "Bully  for 
Miss  Leette."  "She's  a  brick."  "  Let  her  take 
him."     "Let  him  go,  if  she  says  the  word." 

These,  and  other  words  of  approbation  were  falling 
from  the  men,  as,  with  pleased  smiles,  they  left  the 
corporal  (sorry,  now,  he  had  not  killed  Janie,)  to  go 
to  the  precious  spoils  which  the  bribery  of  cotton  had 
successfully  passed  through  the  Federal  lines. 

The  goods  were  unloaded  on  the  ground.  A  team 
(Miss  Leette's)  sent  back  to  a  swamp,  where  a  large 
flat-bottomed  sc^w  was  carefully  concealed.  This 
was  raised  bodily  on  to  the  wheels  and  drawn  to  the 
river.  When  launched,  it  made  a  long,  narrow  bat- 
teau,  capable  of  carrying  ten  bales  of  cotton,  one 
hundred  men,  or  quite  a  squad  of  cavalry. 

On  this  ferry  Leette  and  her  horse  were  set  over, 
also  the  contraband  of  war,  which  was  speedily  con- 
cealed among  the  houses  at  Friars'  Point. 

James  was  laid  on  the  bottom  of  the  wagon,  and 
driven  to  Leette's  plantation,  where  he  was  put  in 
the  care  of  Leette's  old  "mammy" — where  we  leave 
him. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Friars'  Point  is  a  little  hamlet,  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  some  one  hundred  and  five  miles  south 
from  Memphis,  and  about  fifteen  or  twenty  miles 
below  Helena.  A  few  miles  above  was  once  the 
small  town  of  Delta.  At  an  unfortunate  moment, 
guerillas  fired  upon  boats  passing  with  troops.  Speedy 
punisliment  followed,  in  shot,  shell,  and  fire.  Delta  is 
now  chim.neys. 

What  a  sad  series  of  emotions  the  sight  of  lone 
chimneys  suggests  to  the  traveler  on  the  Mississippi ! 
When  cotton  was  in  its  glory,  before  slavery  de- 
manded the  neck  of  freedom  for  its  foot-stool,  the 
picturesque  villages  of  negro  quarters,  whitewashed 
and  glistening,  had  a  peculiar,  quaint  look — from  the 
location  of  every  chimney  outside,  on  the  end  of  the 
house.  The  chimney  of  the  planter's  more  preten- 
tious mansion  was  not  an  exception.  Then  the  eye, 
watching  the  changing  scenery,  caught  sight  of 
chimneys  with  houses  between ;  chimneys  with 
smoke  issuing  out ;  chimneys,  with  troops  of  children 
playing  below,  martins  and  swallows  playing  above ; 
chimneys  alive,  happy.    Now,  as  then,  the  eye  catches 


COTTON    STEALING.  33 

chimneys — but  no  houses,  no  smoke,  no  cliildren. 
All  are  gone,  except  the  monumental  spire  of  briclv — 
tombstone  of  southern  rights,  standing  on  the  grave 
of  the  unpaid  life-service  of  the  negro. 

Above  Friars'  Point,  toward  Helena,  the  river 
spreads  over  a  wide  bottom ;  at  high  water  making  a 
broad  lake,  at  low  water  drawing  the  current  into  a 
Gulf  stream  on  Sandy  Tortugas,  making  the  channel 
difficult  and  treacherous,  brino;ino^  the  deck-hand  to 
the  port  and  starboard-lead,  singing  the  song  echoed 
by  the  officer  of  the  deck  to  tlie  pilot  perched  in  his 
wheel-house — a  martin-box  on  lofty  Texas. 

That  funny  refrain — "  And  a  quarter  twain — 
nine  and  a-half,  making  men  laugh.  Eiglit  feet 
large,  then  seven  and  a-half,  and  you're  drawing 
seven ;  now,  six  feet  scant — the  last,  the  last,  you 
stop  with  a  jerk — your  boat  is  fast."  Dingle,  dingle, 
ding,  ring  the  stopping-bells  ;  jingle,  jing,  jing,  nerv- 
.ously  twang  the  backing-bells.  Then  follows  a  jar- 
gon of  tingling  brass,  Greek  to  every  nation,  dialect, 
and  people,  save  that  semi-barbarous,  semi-enlight- 
ened, semi-civilized,  whole-hog,  half-alligator  speci- 
men of  humanity,  a  Mississippi-river-steamboat-man. 
Everything  has  stopped,  while  the  center  of  gravity 
has  gone  on,  almost  knocking  overboard  the  chimneys, 
wrenching  every  timber  and  brace,  and  turning  crock- 
ery and  chandeliers  into  a  harp  of  a  thousand  strings. 
The  boat  is  on  a  sand-bar  ;  the  river  is  falling ;  this  is 
the  notorious  rendezvous  of  guerillas ;  what  will  be 
the  fate  of  boat,  passengers,  and  crew  ? 

The  writer  was  at  Friars'  Point,  on  a  cotton  boat, 


34  COTTON  STEALING. 

at  night,  tied  to  a  stake,  steam  up,  hot  water  hose  in 
position,  and  a  determined  man,  who  fought  with  Sigel 
at  Wilson's  Creek,  in  charge  of  the  pipe ;  engineers 
v/ere  at  tlieir  station,  pilot  at  his  wheel,  and  everything 
ready  for  backing  out.  Some  sixty  men,  a  whole 
company  of  guerillas,  filled  the  cabin,  drinking  at 
the  bar,  swearing  at  us,  and  cursing  every  "  dyed 
son  of  a  Yankee  hog." 

One  man  came  quietly  to  the  ofl5ce,  whose  gar- 
ments could  not-  hide,  to  the  experienced  eye,  his 
eagle  mind  and  lion  will.     He  said : 

"  You  have  come  to  buy  our  cotton.  We  will  sell, 
but  you  must  understand  this,  we  must  have  sup- 
plies. Your  money  is  worthless  to  us,  as  ours  is  to 
you,  save  as  it  furnishes  us  with  articles  of  prime  ne- 
cessity. Our  government  does  not  permit  the  sale 
of  any  cotton.  I  have  a  commission  to  burn,  and 
have  burnt  thousands  of  bales.  I  never  fired  a  bale 
without  regret.  If  Jefi".  Davis  had  taken  my  advice, 
not  a  pound  would  have  been  destroyed.  I  would 
have  fought,  I  would  have  conquered  with  cotton. 
I  would  have  sold  the  whole  crop,  taken  your  green- 
backs, and  bought  gold.  With  that  gold  our  Confed- 
erate scrip  should  have  been  redeemed,  and  kept  at 
par.  Your  green-backs  would  have  depreciated  to 
what  our  paper  now  is — a  bushel  not  worth  a  damn. 
You  understand  me.  I  would  have  shipped  our  cot- 
ton to  England,  using  you  Northern  men  as  our  com- 
mission merchants,  paying  you  handsomely  for  your 
trouble.  Cotton  will  bring  something  in  gold.  Tliis 
we  would  have  received.     We  have  burnt  our  cotton, 


COTTON   STEALING.  35 

destroyed  our  wealth,  and  our  currency  is  poor  as 
hell.  Our  rulers  are  beginning  to  see  their  mistake, 
are  about  ready  to  adopt  my  policy.  I  will  take  the 
responsibility ;  we  must  have  supplies.  If  you  will 
bring  us  them,  we  will  sell  you  cotton.  For  the  sake 
of  supplies  we  will  take  a  portion  in  green-backs. 
We  must  have  supplies.  Now  you  are  in  the  cotton 
business,  get  us  supplies;  we  will  not  hurt  you. 
When  we  have  our  bellies  fully  then  look  out — we  wnll 
give  you  good  warning." 

AVithout  deciding  the  accuracy  of  his  reasoning,  the 
correctness  of  his  theory,  or  its  harmony  with  prin- 
ciples of  political  economy,  the  honesty  of  the  man 
was  self-evident :  one  of  those  men  enthusiastic  in 
defence  of  slavery,  with  the  idea  of  a  Southern 
Empire  big  in  their  imaginations.  This  man  may 
be  taken  as  a  type  of  those  who  saw  a  future  for 
themselves  in  destruction ;  men  who  owe  their  genius 
to  American  institutions,  yet  would  overthrow  the 
system  which  gave  them  oppportunity  to  rise ;  who 
would  build  up  in  the  New  World  a  monarchial  gov- 
ernment on  a  European  model,  in  which  they  were  to 
be  lords  and  nobility. 

In  '1853,  this  man,  whose  name  I  call  Kendal  La- 
Scheme,  was  a  senior  in  Yale  college,  rooming  with 
a  Northern  class-mate  whose  name  was  Sandison. 
Both  were  poor  and  proud,  but  not  equally  depend- 
ent on  their  own  exertions.  Kendal  dishonored  the 
North  by  boarding  with  an  uncle  who  had  been  South 
to  conduct  the  mechanical  part  of  his  father's  boot 
Ind  shoe  business.     That  father  had  married  a  North- 


36  COTTON    STEALING. 

em  school  teaclier,  a  shoemaker's  sister.  When  their 
property,  invested  in  business,  had  been  lost  in  a 
commercial  crisis,  which  cost  the  son  his  father,  the 
uncle  returned  North."  Kendal,  however,  was  bred 
among  slaves,  whereby  a  natural  love  of  power  was 
constantly  cultivated  amid  the  degrading  conscious- 
ness of  pecuniary  want. 

Ilis  mother,  proud  of  her  son's  blood,  which  she 
flattered  herself  descended  directly  from  the  lofty 
mountains  of  ancient  aristocracy,  bro^glit  from  Eng- 
land in  old  colonial  times,  taught  him  a  corn-cob  les- 
son of  poverty  clad  in  scanty  silks,  and,  at  her  de- 
cease, had  perfected  him  in  the  art  of  deception.  He 
despised  the  relations  whose  riches  reminded  him  of 
destitution,  and  resolved  to  carve  out  his  own  for- 
tune. Too  shrewd  to  make  enemies,  he  secured  every 
possible  advantage  from  them  before  he  came  north 
to  his  uncle ;  then,  entering  his  uncle's  family,  went 
to  school  with  his  cousins,  and  other  children,  whom 
he  despised  because  they  were  "  mud-sills,"  arrogating 
the  pretensions  of  Southern  aristocracy  and  wealth. 
His  will,  cultivated  by  slavery,  tamed  by  necessity, 
was  stubborn  and  implacable,  ever  accomplishing  that 
which  he  undertook,  hesitating  nev^',  calculating  all 
chances,  and  yielding  not  to  successive  failures. 

Sandison,  his  room-mate  and  cljass-mate,  resembled 
him  in  poverty,  ^nd  approached  him  in  tenacity  of 
purpose.  Both  were  friends,  because  neither  could 
afford  to  be  college  enemies.  Sandison  would  do 
smaller  actions.  This,  perhaps,  may  be  an  error ; 
Kendal,  being  more  astute,  could  make  him  seem  to 


COTTON    STEALING.  37 

do  them — for  neither  would  hesitate  to  do  wrono;  if 
advantage  coukl  thereby  be  attained ;  in  proof  of 
which,  one  instance  only  need  be  cite<l : 

Boarding  with  the  mother  of  the  corporal,  after  the 
death  of  her  husband  had  thrown  her  on  the  world 
almost  alone,  Kendal  La  Scheme,  already  in  debt, 
forg'ot  to  pay  his  year's  bill — a  sort  of  forgetfulness 
termed  swindling,  save  among  honorable  men  such  as 
La  Scheme,  who  called  it "  sharp."  The  loss  brought 
Mrs.  Manet  behind  in  her  store  account.  Once  be- 
hind, the  profits  of  boarding  were  not  large  enough 
to  put  her  out  of  debt.  Then  a  strong  sense  of 
honor  led  the  widow  to  sell  her  house,  land,  and  fur- 
niture, and  move  to  the  West,  where  the  pour  of  mis- 
fortune's shower  continued,  in  the  removal,  by  death, 
of  the  brother  who  invited  her  to  his  home.  Then, 
as  a  choice  of  evils,  she  found  a  home  for  herself  and 
child  by  marrying  a  noble  man,  whose  motherless  fa- 
mily of  large  and  small  children  appealed  most 
strongly  to  her  fond,  loving  heart. 

To  unfold  more  clearly  the  quality  of  La  Scheme's 
character,  it  is  necessary  to  tell  how  the  money  to 
pay  this  bill  had  been  provided  by  Kendal's  uncle, 
but,  being  on  a  student's  extravaganza  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  seminary  where  Leette  was  a  school- 
girl, he  (not  being  allowed  admittance  within  the 
walls,)  outwitted  the  teachers,  and,  in  ''  doing  it  up 
brown,  "  spent  the  money,  and  left  nothing  but  a 
promise,  which  ruined  the  poor  widow. 

Thus  much  for  her ;  for  Kendal's  uncle  this :  the 
money  which  should  have  paftd  the  college  debts  was 


38  COTTON   STEALING. 

obtained  by  note  aud  mortgage  of  this  uncle's  pre- 
mises. The  same  lack  of  principle  refused  to  pay 
again — and  thus,  uncle  and  benefactor  was  sacrificed, 
and  that,  too,  without  excuse,  as  more  than  the 
amount  was  squandered  by  Kendal  in  political  cam- 
paigns. 

In  their  room  together,  during  senior  year,  these 
two  men,  talking,  asked  each  other  what  they  would 
be— 

^^  I  am  going  to  be  a  politician,  Sandison." 
"  So  am  I,  La  Scheme." 
"I  shall  go  South." 
^a  shall  go  West." 

"  Very  well.     You  will  be  a  Senator,  and  so  will 
I.     Then,  hurrah  for  the  spoils  !     My  principles  are 
to  get  all  you  can,  and  keep  all  you  can  get." 
''  Those  are  mine." 
"  We  will  remember  this." 
"Yes." 

"  Whenever  you  have  opportunity,  play  into  my 
hands ;    I  will   do  the  same  for  you.     Is  it  a  bar- 
gain ?" 
''Yes." 

Such  was  Kendal  La  Scheme  :  a  crafty  man  of 
the  world,  despiser  of  Christianity,  hating  freedom 
and  free  institutions,  because  they  give  the  opportu- 
nity of  competing  with  himself,  looking  on  power 
supreme  as  deity — ^mind  and  matter  simply  slaves- 
disciple,  yet  not  a  desciple,  of  Voltaire,  because  be- 
lieving in  spiritualism.  There  was  a  divinity  he 
adored,  on  whose  altar  l(tve,  country,  earth,  and  hea- 
ven, were  imolated :  that  god  was  Self. 


COTTON   STEALING.  39 

During  the  years  preceding  the  war,  he  lent  his 
utmost  endeavor  to  promote  the  hostility  growing  be- 
tween the  sections,  caUing  upon  all  his  powers,  upon 
a  wonderful  memory  and  clear  reasoning  mind  to 
widen  the  breach  beyond  the  possibility  of  union. 
He  staked  everything  upon  the  result,  and  planned 
for  war  long  before  war  was  conceivable. 

After  the  war  had  progressed  far  enough  to  cloud 
with  doubt  the  expected  easy  success  of  the  Confed- 
eracy :  while  others  were  looking  only  on  the  hopeful 
side,  Kendal,  alive  in  every  sense,  a  great  deal  alive, 
gazed  steadily  at  the  possibility  of  failure,  and  be- 
came satisfied  that  mere  success  in  military  affairs 
was  insufficient,  and  that  those  arts  with  which  poli- 
ticians managing  a  campaign  are  so  familiar,  ought 
to  be  put  in  motion,  to  weaken  the  strength  of  the 
National  Government  at  home.  He  knew  there  were 
mercenary  men,  who  would  gladly  form  an  Opposi- 
tion. Like  most  Southern  politicians,  he  believed 
Northern  office-holders  would  take  a  bribe  and  sink 
below,  rather  than  be  poor  and  go  to  heaven.  Money 
was  therefore  a  necessity ;  men  were  a  necessity ; 
women,  too,  were  a  necessity — for  women  tempt  men, 
taunt  men.  Had  not  the  women  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy  been  so  fierce,  the  common  sense  of  the 
fighting  masses  would  have  abandoned  the  struggle, 
while  terms  were  possible.  Kendal  was  too  far- 
sighted  to  overlook  g-ny  assistant,  however  mean,  to 
despise  any  gift,  however  small — retaining,  by  a  pow- 
•  erful  memory,  a  clear  appreciation  of  every  person 
he   met,  and  their  value,  as   instruments,  in  accom- 


40 


COTTON    STEALING. 


plishing  his  plans — when  he  arrived  at  a  certain  point 
he  sought  Leette. 

Mariette  Ledonc,  called  by  her  slaves  "  Miss  Le- 
ette," is  a  "woman  of  peculiar  fascination  and  power: 
a  rebel,  unadulterated:  a  woman  of  honor,  but  such 
an  honor  !  a  woman  who  ought  to  have  been  a  man, 
and  yet  no  man  can  do  what  she  accomplished.  What 
a  soul  that  woman  liad  !  When  a  child,  she  possessed 
every  element  of  beauty ;  the  cheek,  the  forehead,  the 
dark  eyebrow,  the  penciled  lash,  the  small  chin,  the 
regular,  elegant  teeth,  small  mouth,  and  rosy  lips, 
superb  neck  and  rounded  shoulders,  graceful  in  ges- 
ture, graceful  in  motion.  As  a  child,  Leette  was  the 
admiration  of  her  circle — as  a  woman,  more  than  the 
child  promised. 

Leette  was  early  left  an  orphan,  under  the  care  of 
an  uncle  whose  home  was  her  father's  plantation, 
where,  by  the  tyranny  of  a  will,  tke  uncle  was  su- 
preme and  the  mistress  subject.  Little  love  was 
wasted  in  the  large  plantation  houses.  Money  bought 
w^hat  money  buys  ;  affection  did  not  seal  the  bargain. 
Slaves,  obedient  as  will,  brooking  no  look  of  opposi- 
tion could  demand,  waited  on  master  and  mistress. 
Leette  was  a  caged  sprite,  fluttering  within  the  bars, 
and  fighting  the  jailor ;  hating  the  ties  of  blood, 
setting  guardians,  law,  and  propriety,  at  defiance. 
To  free  themselves  from  constant  battle,  the  antago- 
nist was  sent  to  school.  Here  she  met  the  firm, 
strong  hand  of  discipline,  under  which  her  proud 
spirit  chafed,  yielding,  because  a  choice  of  evils,  re- 
venging by  a  secret  hate,  which  never  would  forgive 
the  Yankee  teacher  for  making  her  "mind." 


COTTON   STEALING. 


41 


The  ingenuity  displayed  by  Leette  in  violating  the 
school  regulations,  and  escaping  school  penalties ;  the 
tact  and  energy  with  which  her  flirtations  were  man- 
aged— her  coquetry  enticing  the  brains  from  love- 
sick students,  until  they  were  half-crazy  at  her  incon- 
stancy, drew  the  attention  of  La  Scheme  as  some- 
thing worthy  of  him. 

Women  were,  to  him,  subjects  of  psychology.  Le- 
ette became  a  victim  of  psychological  investigation. 
With  similar  coolness  the  tyro  in  medicine  uses  the 
knife.  Studying  to  know  why  woman  has  power 
over  man,  he  won  the  love  of  dozens  for  the  mere 
sake  of  testing  his  own  relative  strength ;  deserting 
them  as  soon  as  satisfied,  or  permitting  the  trusting 
heart  to  love  on  until  he  got  tired.  Here  was  metal 
worthy  of  his  steel.  He  sought  an  introduction,  and 
stormed  her  thought-castle.  Pain  and  sufiering  were 
not  regarded  by  tHe  cold-blooded  animalcule  who  in- 
vestigated his  own  mental  states  with  scientific  inter- 
est :  as  a  savant  may  inoculate  his  body  with  small- 
pox, or  other  disease,  simply  to  know,  by  experience, 
the  peculiar  sensations  connected  therewith,  and  the 
influence  of  difi'erent  drugs  on  the  systen!  during  the 
successive  stages  of  disease,  between  attack  ajid  re- 
covery. 

Coquette  Leette  had  found  her  match.  To  merit 
his  attention  she  studied;  he  was  an  honor  man: 
loved  music  ;  she  practiced  lessons,  as  never  before  ; 
to  win  him — changed  from  a  careless  romp  to  a  care- 
ful, studious  woman. 

To  him  Leette  was  a  plaything,  and  he  threw  her 


42  COTTON    STEALING. 

bj  when  he  left  college,  as  a  boj  a  top  or  marble, 
when  top  or  marble-time  is  done.  But  when,  in  the 
onward  progress  of  events,  he  studied  the  situation, 
laid  down  his  position,  and  shaped  his  course  for  fu- 
ture aggrandizement,  such  a  woman  became  a  neces- 
sity. Then  he  sought  Leette,  and  a  ready  welcome 
greeted  his  arrival.  There  are,  in  every  contest, 
blows  to  take  as  well  as  give.  Leette  had  her  plans, 
and  saw  Kendal  out  of  her  own  window.  On  his 
part,  he  sought  to  convert  a  good  impression  into 
abiding  love,  which  he  knew  to  be  possible  to  woman's 
heart ;  to  this  end  made  entrance  behind  the  family 
curtain,  won  every  confidence,  and  stood  everyone's 
friend ;  to  Leette  offered  a  deferential  homage,  which 
compounded  admiration  vrith  delicate  worship — a  flat- 
tery subtle  as  those  fumes  which  story  attributes  to 
the  rose-scented  poisons  of  ancient  alchemy.  He  was 
playing  for  the  stake  of  her  lov^.  Where  woman 
worships  she  will  die.  Kendal  ^was  alive  to  fasten 
her  heart  on  his  life-altar  intending  to  sacrifice  it 
for  his  benefit. 

Li  the  midst  of  war,  alone,  with  none  to  love,  what 
wonder  she  yielded !  He  wooed  delicately,  wooed 
and  won  the  fiery  Southern  passion,  wherein  mind, 
soul,  body,  are  perfect,  because  free  slaves.  Oh ! 
slavery  is  but  an  idea,  a  word,  a  name — service  with- 
out a  will.  When  the  slave-holder  Leette  loved,  she 
became  servant,  La  Scheme  master.  It  was  not 
slavery,  only  love — loving  service. 

Kendal  La  Scheme  infused  a  willing  heart  with  an 
idea  of  devotion,  absolute,  because  designing  to  make 


COTTON    STEALING.  43 

a  tool :  and  perfect  mastery  could  not  be  obtained 
with  an  imperfect  confidence,  with  a  blemish  of  sus- 
picion. A  serpent  magnetizes  a  bird.  His  grasp  on 
her  hand  was  the  soft  slime  the  serpent  embrocates 
to  swallow  his  victim.  He  twined  serpent-coils 
when  fondling  her  head,  when  patting  her  cheek,  his 
finger-fall  prickling.  Had  sensation  been  fruit,  the 
apple  would  have  had  honey  flavor,  tinctured  with. 
a  citric  or  tartaric  acid,  deliriously  delicious.  La 
Scheme  did  love  her,  after  a  fashion.  That  which 
fooled  Leette  was  passion's  flame,  which  in  Byronic 
natures  burns  for  a  thousand,  to  each  new  object 
sends  out  a  fiery  language,  ever  new  and  ever  thrill- 
ing. From  a  Byron,  from  a  La  Scheme,  enough  to 
deceive  any  woman  of  mere  passion — of  more  pas- 
sion than  principle.  Yet,  even  when  assured  of  a 
victor's  impunity,  his  cold-blooded  calculation,  his 
deadly  hatred  of  the  Yankees,  was  manifested. 

"Your  will  is  mine.     You  are  under  my  control." 

"  I  am  not,"  she  answered. 

"  We  will  see,"  was  his  reply.  He  made  a  motion 
for  her  to  take  a  child's  place  upon  his  knee.  She 
had  often  been  girdled  by  his  arm,  her  head  had  lain 
on  his  shoulder,  but  never  this.  He  fixed  his  eye 
steadily,  and  looked.  She  rose  to  go  away  ;  he  put 
out  his  hand  and  stopped  her ;  she  remained.  For 
minutes  the  struggle  continued.  At  length,  tired  of 
resistance,  she  compromised,  saying : 

"I  will  not.  I  never  will:"  but  sat  at  his  feet. 
He  put  his  hand  on  her  head  ;  she  took  it  off,  and  re- 
tained it.     Holding  her's,  he  gently  drew  it  toward 


44  COTTON   STEALING. 

him,  and  she  followed  the  hand.  Holding  her  tightly, 
he  said,  "  I  do  love  you,  Leette." 

In  all  of  their  conversation  there  had  been  no 
waste  of  words,  in  soft,  mawkish  sentiment.  La 
Scheme  knew  better.  Eyes  spoke  love ;  actions 
spoke  affection  ;  but  the  tongue  had  words  of  war, 
of  death  against  the  Yankees,  hate  against  the  race 
of  Northerners.  They  were  one  in  the  strongest  an- 
tipathies of  the  heart,  and,  by  implication,  ought  to 
be  united  in  the  gentler  and  holier  emotions.  Said 
he— 

''You  have  yielded  to  my  will-power.  I  never 
found  a  woman  before  who  cost  effort  equal  to  that  I 
have  expended  on  you.  Experience  has  now  taught 
the  existance  of  this  magnetical  influence,  and  I  de- 
sign to  inform  how  it  may  be  of  valuable  service  in 
accomplishing  our  designs  against  the  enemy.  No 
one  can  ever  conquer  your  will  without  your  consent. 
Men  are  educated  to  yield,  and,  particularly,  soldiers 
are  taught  to  obey.  Possibly  you  may  meet  another 
person  who  can  master  your  will.  I  do  not  believe 
it.  I  say  this  to  you  now,  because  our  mutual  wish 
is  to  do  all  we  can  against  the  dyed  villains  who  are 
attempting  to  keep  us  in  the  Union  against  our  will. 
I  have  demonstrated  will-power  by  making  you  obey. 
I  tell  you  that  you  have  power,  and  in  this  way  have 
unfolded  your  greatest  strength.  You  have,  natu- 
rally, beauty ;  are  fascinating,  are  accomplished. 
Music,  education,  cultivated  taste,  are  yours ;  be- 
sides, you  know  the  world.  Add  to  this,  money,  op- 
portunity,  and  will.    ^Everything  is  yours,  but  op- 


COTTON  STEALING.  45 

portunity  and  Dioney  ;  these  I  will  supply.  You  inu^^t 
come  in  contact  with  the  Federals,  and  turn  the  heads 
and  hearts  of  their  soft  young  officers.  Break  them 
iC  you  can.  Seduce  them  from  their  fidelity  to  home 
and  family,  and  damn  them  in  their  self-respect.  Oh  ! 
it  will  be  glorious  !  I  think  I  can  see  you  trample 
on  their  hearts.  I  wish  I  had  their  united  souls  un- 
der my  heel ;  I  would  grind  out  the  last  drop  of  blood  ! 
You  need  never  flinch,  nor  hesitate  ;  while  you  have 
implicit  self-confidence,  and  exert  your  strength  of 
will,  you  cannot  fail  to  overwhelm  the  foe  who  con- 
trols your  destiny.  Will  acts  most  powerfully  in  si- 
ence.  This  is  why  I  have  taught  you  this  lesson  in 
will-power." 

Leette  was  disappointed.  Hungry  for  love,  when 
she  had  made,  had  acted,  a  complete  gift  of  herself, 
she  received  husks — a  "  lesson  in  will-power." 


CHAPTER   lY. 

The  mansion  and  quarters  of  2>Iiss  Leette  were  be- 
hind the  levee,  at  such  a  distance  from  the  river 
that  thej  could  not  easily  be  seen.  The  stranger 
passing  on  a  steamboat  can  only  discover  the  deep 
foliai'e  of  those  beautiful  eversireen  trees,  which  are 
a  pride  and  glory  to  the  south ;  which  seem  so  much 
more  beautiful  than  the  firs  and  pines  of  the  North, 
because  their  contrast  with  common  vegetation  is  so 
distinctly  marked  ;  because  when  leaves  have  fallen 
in  the  Fall,  they  are  so  deeply  green,  so  magnificently 
in  harmony  with  the  sad  sombre  hue  of  the  bare  grey 
of  twigs,  limbs,  and  tree-tops. 

Mr.  Ledonc  had  little  taste  for  gardening.  Le- 
ette's  taste  was  wild  and  extravagant.  Impulsively 
seizing  an  idea,  she  carried  it  to  an  extreme,  after- 
wards abandoning  it  as  a  child  tired  of  a  toy.  Her 
uncle  was  practical,  caring  more  for  a  sweet-potatoe 
patch  than  a  garden ;  but  he  was  also  systematic  in 
potatoe  patch  and  garden  ;  consequently  the  walks 
were  always  neat,  and  the  borders  trimmed.  Le- 
ette's  roses,  after  her  first  fancy  passed,  ran  wild 
in  untrimmed  luxuriance,  and  her  shrubbery  was  un- 


<r 


COTTON   STEALING.  47 

tamed  as  her  own  character.  The  neatness  of  tho 
practicalist,  and  the  abandon  of  nature  contrasted  in 
harmony.  God's  work  is  always  glorious  ;  and  in  the 
surroundings  there  was  a  quaint  fantasy  which  made 
Leette  proud  of  her  home,  which  overwhelmed  a 
stranger  with  crude  sensations  of  ecstasy,  too  glori- 
ous to  explain. 

After  her  return  from  Yazoo,  the  exultant  spirit 
fell,  since  Kendal,  whom  she  awaited,  expected,  did 
not  come.  Though  he  arrived  soon  after,  her  spirit 
had  not  entirely  recovered  its  tone,  and  he  felt  pressed 
to  discover  the  reason,  fearing  lest  he  might  be  losing 
his  influence.  "  Leette  !"  said  he.  Her  reply  was 
a  child's  action.  In  love  to  him,  her  woman's  heart 
was  a  child's  heart,  and  nestled  in  its  faith  in  him. 
He  rested  his  cheek  on  her's,  and  asked, 
"  Darling,  what  is  the  matter  ?" 
"•  They  told  me  Generals  Van  Dorn  and  Price  were 
to  attack  Rosecrans,  at  Corinth,  to-day.  I  believed 
we  would  wipe  them  out,  but  my  heart  does  not  feel 
victory — and  you  were  not  here." 

''  Leette,  I  am  not  sanguine  of  immediate  success 
in  this  struggle.  We  shall  conquer  in  the  end.  You 
will  see  times  darker,  by  a  thousand,  than  this. 
Have  you  ever  been  snagged  on  the  river  ?  Do  you 
remember  the  death-stroke  that  hit  your  heart-center 
when  the  big  cotton-wood  tore  up  the  guards,  shivered 
timbers,  and  smashed  the  upper-woAs — the  crash 
which  fell  from  the  broken  chimneys  and  the  nervous 
throbbings  of  every  fibre  of  the  fast  boat  ?  Can 
you  hear  the  shrieks  of  the  ladies ;  the  agonizing  cries 


48  COTTON   STEALING. 

of  cliildren :  and  tlie  tone  of  fear,  which,  coming  in 
the  voice  of  a  strong  man,  is  terribly  awful  ?  I  re- 
member, and  you  cannot  forget.  What  a  great  look 
I  took  into  the  heart  of  my  Leette  !  IIow  brave  you 
were !  I  have  never  forgotten,  shall  never  forget. 
Oh,  Leette,  you  are  a  woman !  What  a  precious  one 
you  are  ! — Were  you  only  a  man — But  a  woman  like 
you  can  do  more  than  twenty  common  men.  You  did 
not  die  ;  you  were  spared,  spared  to  me,  spared  to  our 
country,  now  trodden  by  the  mercenary  feet  of 
Yankee  hirelings.  Our  country  has  not  yet  seen  its 
darkest,  but  it  will  not  die  ;  it  will  live  like  my  own 
Leette,  to  be  more  beautiful  than  ever.  It  shall 
yet  be  free  from  any  contamination  with  the  fana- 
tics of  New  England  ;  a  nation  of  our  own,  the 
richest,  most  povrerful  on  the  earth. 

"  But,  Leette,  we  have  not  struck  all  the  snags,  in 
our  progress  toward  victory.  You  cannot  but  remem- 
ber how  hard  the  boatmen  worked  to  save  the  boat. 
How,  standing  in  water  up  to  their  necks,  they  strug- 
gled, after  the  captain  had  abandoned  hope.  Do  you 
remember  how  we  were  saved?  " 

"  Yes  ;  you  suggested  the  plan." 

"  Do  not  despair  of  our  country,  even  when  our 
great  and  noble  President  gives  up  hope ;  for,  in  that 
hour,  it  shall  be  given  to  some  one,  perhaps  now  un- 
known, to  suggest  the  plan  that  saves  us  all. 

"  Oh  !  are  we  in  such  danger  !  " 

"  I  fear  it.     I  hope  not." 

"  We  cannot  fail.  Kendal,  dear  Kendal,  oh,  we 
cannot  fail !" 


COTTON   STEALING.  49 

"I  will  die  first,  Leette." 

"  So  will  I.     When  you  die,  I  will  not  live." 

^'  My  own  Lcettc." 

A  woman  is  a  child  in  the  arms  of  a  man.  When 
both  are  fiery  hot  with  passion,  the  hearts  burn  into 
each  other.  When  love  and  hate  mingle — love  to 
each  other,  hate  inspiring  vengeance  toward  a  com- 
mon enemy ;  the  antagonism  of  hate  makes  the  pressure 
and  word  of  love-passion  more  eloquent  than  tongue 
can  tell. 

"  Leette,  I  am  not  satisfied  with  the  present  man- 
ner of  carrying  on  the  war.  We  are  only  fighting. 
We  ought  to  have  war  in  the  North.  Where  there  is 
a  division  of  sentiment,  a  casus  belli  exists.  Men  at 
the  North,  party-men,  cordially  hate  each  other  as 
we  hate  the  Yankees.  We,  our  government,  ought 
to  foster  that  hatred,  by  fanning  to  a  flame  political 
diiferences.  This  can  be  done  by  a  judicious  expendi- 
ture of  money — and  cotton  will  bring  this  money. 
We  can  buy  agents  and  influence  on  both  sides,  then 
array  them  against  each  other ;  involve  honest,  unsus- 
picious men,  and  throw  obstacles  in  the  way  of  gov- 
ernment, which  will  undermine  the  power  of  the  ad- 
ministration, and  weaken  the  hands  of  its  friends. 
We  can  buy  those  very  friends — for  every  Yankee  has 
his  price.  The  Yankee  minister  works  for  money. 
Ilis  church-member  violates  his  covenant-obhgation 
for  money ;  and  if  wife,  pastor,  or  child,  are  benefited 
thereby,  all  will  excuse  him  for  the  sin  against  his 
government,  against  his  country,  against  his  own 
soul.  A  man  may  be  a  hundred-thousand-dollar 
4 


50  COTTOX    STEALING. 

rascal,  and  the  whole  parish,  a  -whole  commumtY,  will 
sustain  him,  will  raise  the  loudest  clauior  when  their 
friend  is  exposed.  Eyes  and  conscience  are  bhnded 
by  the  almighty  dollar.  Newspapers  control  public 
sentiment  at  the  North.  Every  editor  has  his  price. 
We  can  divide  the  whole  country  by  a  proper  appli- 
cation of  money,  to  the  right  men,  in  the  right 
place." 

"Kendal,  papers  do  not  make  public  opinion." 
"  Not  make  it,  Leette,  but  direct  it.  Independent 
as  the  American  people  are  in  thought,  they  are  the 
veriest  slaves  in  the  world  to  a  few  leading  thinkers, 
who  block  out  tracks  on  which  they  load  cars  of  peo- 
ple, who  believe  themselves  running  the  train — while 
they  are  passengers,  dead-heads,  drawn  by  another's 
steam.  Money  makes  the  wheels  turn  ;  let  us  sell  our 
cotton,  get  money,  and  buy  up  the  papers  of  the 
North. 

''  The  London  Times  controls  the  sentiment  of 
England.  Our  principles  are  identical ;  and  money 
controls  the  Times.  Sell  our  cotton,  and  we  can  have 
English  intervention.  France  is  an  empire  ;  French- 
men are  the  slaves  of  Napoleon  ;  we  sympathize  ;  they 
love  show.  Money  will  control  the  French  people. 
Sell  our  cotton,  and  we  can  have  French  recognition. 
English  intervention,  and  French  recognition,  will 
make  Southern  independence. 

"  Do  I  tire  you,  Leette  ?     My  own  darling  ?  " 
"  No.     Go  on  ;  show  me  what  I  can  do." 
"  I  have  conceived  a  plan,  which  I  shall  attempt  to 
carry  out,  which  will,  if  successful,  accomplish  my  ob- 


COTTON    STEALING.  51 

ject,  in  which  you  can  take  a  prominent  place,  and 
act  a  most  important  part.  But  your  life  will  always 
be  in  peril,  and  you  may  die  in  doing  your  duty.  Are 
you   afraid?" 

"  Try  me,  and  see." 

"  I  wish  to  lay  down,  on  golden  rails,  an  under- 
ground track,  which  shall  bring  into  the  Confederacy, 
from  the  North,  arms,  munitions,  clothing — all  the 
articles  contraband  of  war.  Have  you  courage  to 
undertake,  and  are  you  willing  to  sacrifice  all  that  is 
necessary  to  aid  me,  to  aid  our  country  ?" 

"lam." 

"Even  yourself?" 

"Yes." 

"Even  me?" 

"What!" 

"  If  necessary,  to  marry  a  Yankee,  if  thereby  you 
could  make  your  country  free  ?" 

"Oh!— Oh!" 

There  was  an  accent  of  sharpest  pain  in  the  aspir- 
ated vowel  twice  repeated.  There  was  more  agony 
in  the  convulsive  clutches,  the  burrowing  of  herself 
into  his  bosom  (as  do  some  insects  hide  to  avoid  dan- 
ger). But  La  Scheme  felt  no  compunction  as  he  put 
the  knife  into  her  soul.  She  was  to  him  what  other 
females  had  been.  It  was  no  new  experience  to  ab- 
sorb the  heart-life  of  a  woman.  lie  could  as  coolly 
break  her  heart  as  he  had  others. 

"  Leette,  I  design  to  form  a  plan,  by  which,  every 
force  antagonistic  to  Abe  Lincoln's  administration 
shall  be  consolidated.     It  demands  secrecy.     A  thou- 


52  COTTON    STEALING. 

sand  different  strings  must  be  touched,  conflicting  in- 
fluences and  motives  be  trained,  until,  all  uniting,  shall 
sweep  the  republican  form  of  government  out  of  ex- 
istence. The  plan  must  be  so  deeply  hid,  that  men 
and  women  shall  work  blindly  against  their  own  prop- 
erty, their  own  interests,  and  only  open  their  eyes 
when  they  s^e  they  have  accomplished  their  own  de- 
struction. To  do  this,  money  must  be  obtained.  To 
do  this,  we  must  sell  our  cotton. 

"You  can  help;  you  must  sacrifice.  Are  you 
strong  enough,  are  you  patriotic  enough  ?  I  have 
put  before  your  mind  the  strongest  power  capable  of 
holding  you  back — myself.  If  I  am  ready  to  die 
for  my  country,  shall  I  withhold  my  honor,  or  my 
love  ?  " 

"  It  is  wrong.  Dear  Kendal,  it  is  wrong.  I  can- 
not do  wrong,  La  Scheme  I  " 

Then,  in  order  to  remove  every  scruple,  he  enuncia- 
ted a  part  of  his  creed : 

"  Every  person  has  a  standard  within,  called  con- 
science. None  can  suffer  beyond  their  capacity ;  con- 
science is  a  measure  of  capacity.  If  I  never  violate 
my  conscience,  I  shall  never  suffer  any  punishment ; 
neither  will  you,  nor  any  other  one.  Hell  is  a  fiction. 
There  is  no  fire  and  brimstone.  Mind  is  the  center 
of  enjoyment,  the  source  and  center  of  pain.  When 
I  violate  my  principles,  I  shall  suffer  therefor.  Is  it 
right  to  kill  a  Yankee  ?  Y"es :  I  shall  go  to  heaven 
after  killing  a  million.  I  hate  a  Yankee.  I  deceive 
him  :  do  I  lie  ?  No  ;  I  shall  go  to  happiness  after  I 
have  toll  him  a  million.     When  I  kill  him,  when  I 


COTTON  STEALING.  63 

make  him  believe  a  lie,  I  do  right.  I  act  in  harmony 
with  my  conscience  ;  I  do  right.  When  a  Yankee  de- 
ceives you,  the  act  on  his  part  is  but  the  same.  You 
make  a  mistake,  receive  an  injury  ;  but  there  is  no 
wrong.  If  I  make  a  Yankee  violate  his  own  princi- 
ples of  rectitude,  of  holy  honor;  if  I  violate  the 
sanctity  of  the  heart  of  a  Yankee  woman,  and  tempt 
her  to  fall,  and  she  does  fall,  conscious  of  her  guilt, 
then  punishment  comes  on  her,  self-inflicted :  I  en- 
joy. If  you  can  make  a  Yankee  violate  his  own  in- 
tegrity, you  send  him  to  hell ;  he  punishes  himself. 
Tempt  Mm,  make  him  fall  from  his  conscience  of 
rectitude,  and  he  will  suffer  while  you  enjoy.  That 
which  is  your  highest  happiness  will  be  his  consum- 
mate misery.  Now,  if  to  accomplish  this,  a  sacrifice 
becomes  necessary,  is  the  act  wrong?  No;  it  is 
glorious.  The  fiction  of  the  Gospel  sends  God's  son 
to  die  for  men  :  Can  yoji  not  sacrifice  your  honor  ? 
Leette,  you  are  mine ;  dear  one,  you  are  mine  for- 
ever. In  heart-life,  in  soul-life,  we  are  one — two 
spirits  blend ;  spirits  can  be  united  though  bodies  are 
dissevered ;  and  when  life  shall  have  passed  away, 
melting  into  one  grand  essence,  eternity  shall  possess 
no  single  joy  they  do  not  share  together 

"Here  on  earth  we  part, 
There  we  shall  be  one; 
Two  bodies  have  one  heart — 
Heaven-hearts  have  bodies  none." 

"Do  not  sob,  Leette!  It  maybe  unnecessary. 
We  are  very  happy  now.  Our  country  does  not  call 
for  this  surrender  now.     When  the  time  comes,  my 


54  COTTON   STEALING. 

all  belongs  to  my  country  ;  I  cannot  be  with  you. 
My  own  dear  Leette,  my  heaven-wife,  cheer  up.  Let 
us  pray  that  this  sacrifice  may  never  be  demanded. 
We  are  happy  now  ;  let  us  enjoy  the  present. 

"  Souls  united  now  in  one,  shall  be  as  one  forever. 
You  are  brave,  and  you  are  true.  You  love  your 
country.  I  know  I  can  trust  you.  I  know  you 
possess  sublime  courage.  It  is  becaui^e  I  know,  be- 
cause I  love,  because  I  trust  you,  that  I  have  con- 
fided to  a  woman,  the  greatest  of  her  kind,  plans 
which  are  to  be  reahzed — now  only  plans. 

''I  am  going  to  leave  you  for  a  time.  Money  can 
come  from  sugar.  I  have  plans  to  be  carried  out  for 
the  sugar  of  Louisiana ;  they  will  soon  be  accom- 
plished ;  then  I  will  return  to  you.  The  same 
friends  who  aid  in  sugar,  at  New  York,  will  help 
us  there  in  cotton." 

A  moment's  pause  followed ;  for  Leette  could  not 
reply.     He  asked  : 

"  Where  is  your  prisoner  ?  " 

''  I  do  not  know.  I  have  never  seen  him.  He  is 
in  old  aunty's  care." 

"  Send  for  her." 

"Wlien  aunty  came,  La  Scheme  asked  : 

"  How  is  the  Yankee  ?  " 

"  'Pears  as  do  he  can't  die.  Neber  seed  such  a 
sight  in  your  life.  Dar's  no  white  spot  all  ober ; 
bruse,  an'  bruse,  an'  blud.  'Pears  as  do  he  dun 
gon'  an'  wont  die.  Laws  a'mity,  if  dat's  war,  ole 
aunty  don't  want  tur  seed  no  more  on't." 

"  What  does  he  say  ?  " 


COTTON   STEALING.  55 

"  Nuffin." 

^'  What  docs  he  ask  for  ?  " 

"  Nuilin.  Laws  a'mity,  he  just  lays  dar  so  quiet. 
It's  cur 'us." 

''  Does  he  suffer  ?  " 

"  'Spec'  he  can't  help  dat  ar'.  Yer  seed,  his 
head's  mashed  on  de  top,  and's  split  on  de  side,  and 
on  de  tudder  side  it's  black ;  and  dere's  his  arm  shot 
right  tru  ;  and  his  side's  gone  in,  and  de  poo'  man's 
bruse  all  ober." 

^'  What  have  you  done  for  him  ?  " 

"  Rubbed  um  wid  possum  fat,  and  cubbered  um 
wid  leaves.  Put  de  water  on  to  cool  de  pistol  bullet, 
and  de  wet  rag  on  his  head." 

''  Is  the  bullet  in  ?  " 

"  'Spec'  not,  massa.     De  hoi's  clar  tru." 

"  His  ribs  are  broken.     Aren't  they  ?  " 

''  'Spec'  da  be,  massa.  De  ole  man  straighten  em' 
out." 

''  How's  that  ?  " 

"  He  lif '  um  up  and  roll  um  ober." 

"  Didn't  he  yell  ?  " 

"  Nebber  say  word.  He  make  no  noise.  Shut  um 
eye,  hammer  um  lips  togedder — dat's  all." 

"  He  is  a  brave  man.  I  saw  it  when  you  stood 
in  his  way,  Leette." 

"  Is  that  the  man  ?     Did  you  know  him  tlien  ?  " 

"  Yes.  I  knew  I  had  seen  his  eye  before,  though 
I  did  not  recognize  his  face.  He  will  make  a  good 
aid.  He  came  near  spoiling  my  plans.  We  ought 
to  have  bought  him,  as  we  did  the  lieutenant  and  the 


56  COTTON  STEALl^U. 

provost-marshal.  He  is  a  good  subject,  and  wliile  I 
am  gone  I  will  leave  liim  to  you.  Try  and  win  his 
respect  and  love ;  make  him  a  traitor  ;  then  trample 
on  his  affection,  and  degrade  him  by  your  contempt. 
Besides,  you  can  use  him  to  find  out  who  are  the 
officers  of  the  Federal  army  best  adapted  to  become 
our  tools.  You  are  a  dear  girl,  Leette  ;  but  you 
have  not  sufficient  control.  You  need  something  to 
fill  your  mind.  Try  and  play  good  Union,  and  de- 
ceive this  Yankee.     It  is  a  good  time  to  begin." 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  The  next  morning,  before  La  Scheme  took  his 
leave,  he  said  to  Leette  : 

"  Come,  let  us  visit  your  prisoner.  I  wish  to  see 
ifmy  impression  is  correct;  to  know  whether  time 
^yill  be  wasted  on  him.  Some  Yankees  have  royal 
blood  running  in  their  veins.  On  such  you  do  well 
to  exert  power.  Conquer  such  and  the  victory  is 
glory.     You  do  not  hesitate  to  take  the  path  I  point 

out?"  . 

''  No.  I  am  only  a  woman,  but  I  have  a  soul 
burning  to  aid  my  country  in  this  struggle.  I  have 
a  personal  hate  toward  the  enemy.  I  know  some- 
thing of  them  from  my  school  lessons.  They  are 
mean  and  despicable.  I  long  to  do  something.  Tell 
me  what  to  do.  Show  me  how  I  can  serve  and  I  will 
never  avoid  labor,  or  danger.  I  do  not  understand 
how  you,  whom  I  know  to  be  so  very  brave,  can  keep 
away  from  the  army.     You  might  be  a  General." 

''  All  kinds  of  talent  are  in  demand  in  this  war, 
Leette.  The  republican  idea  is  destroyed  if  we  suc- 
ceed, and  the  men  of  the  North  must  be  made  to 


58  COTTON    STEALING. 

compass  their  own  destruction.  Nothing  in  exist- 
ence can  destroy  the  American  Union  but  the  ani- 
mosity of  its  individual  members  directed  against 
themselves.  "While  united  against  a  common  foe, 
they  are  invincible. 

"  A  republic  is  either  the  strongest  or  the  weakest 
of  all  governments :  composed  of  independent  indi- 
viduals who  give  their  single,  absolute,  entire  sup- 
port— labor — life  to  their  country,  conquest  is  impos- 
sible :  it  is  synonymous  with  extermination.  This  is 
why  we  are  so  strong — but  when  severed  by  interest, 
fear,  or  any  other  motive,  no  government  can  be 
more  weak ;  water  falling  in  drops  from  a  precipice, 
— so  shall  we  be,  when  ever  our  common  bond  of 
union  fails  our  confederacy.  This  is  the  reason  I 
favor  a  monarchy  or  aristocracy.  This  will  make 
our  future  government  a  consolidated  monarchy, 
with  constitutional  rights  and  privileges,  whose  lead- 
ing men  and  women,  the  governing  wealthy  classes, 
may  agree  or  disagree,  while  those  seggregated 
atoms  of  people  at  home  are  mere  tools  at  the  beck 
of  the  master-mind,  king,  who  ever  he  be.  I  feel 
that  my  part  is  not  to  expose  my  life  on  the  battle- 
field. I  must  preserve  it.  I  have  dedicated,  devoted 
it  to  discover,  protect,  foster,  forward  every  element 
of  disunion  at  the  North.  That  element  union,  gone, 
war  must  follow.  "War  at  the  North  will  call  troops 
from  our  territory.  "We  will  side  where  we  please, 
being  the  gainers  in  the  success  of  either  party.  The 
moment  war  does  come  at  the  North,  and  it  must 
come,  it  shall  come.     Don't  you  say  so  ?" 


COTTOX  STEALINQ.  59 

"  God  grant  it !  "  fervently,  said  Leette. 

"Money  Avill  make  it.  Money  comes  from  cotton 
— that  money  we  can  have — ^you  can  help  me  get  it. 
Napoleon  said,  "  God  favors  the  strongest  battalions. 
Money  makes  strong  battalions ;  let  God  alone, 
Leette,  and  get  money,  then  we  will  soon  conquer 
these  mercenary  wretches.  We  will  make  a  war 
where  state  shall  fight  state  ;  city  attack  city  ;  town 
and  county  have  hostile  armies  among  their  own  citi- 
zens ;  every  man  fighting  for  himself;  strength  and 
weakness ;  globules  of  melted  iron,  against  drops  o^ 
water.  It  will  come.  It  must  come.  Shall  it  come, 
Leette?" 

"Yes." 

"  Then  help  me  sell  our  cotton." 

"  What  can  I  do,  La  Scheme  ?  Tell  me ;  show  me ; 
I  will  follow  where  you  lead ;  trust  me  ;  I  will  not 
falter." 

"  Find  from  this  Yankee,  who  are  politicians 
among  his  army  corps  officers.  Learn  of  him  the 
character  of  every  captain  and  colonel,  and  mark 
when  he  speaks  of  a  wicked  one.  Particularly  note 
those  who  have  been  party  men.  Politicians  know 
the  value  of  money,  and  are  unscrupulous.  We  can 
make  tools  of  them  while  they  imagine  themselves 
masters  of  the  situation.  When  diamond  cuts  dia- 
mond the  sharpest,  hardest  wins.  You  can  play  the 
coquette  with  him.  If  he  has  a  Yankee  wife  make 
him  unfaithful ;  if  he  has  a  love,  make  him  untrue  to 
her  ;  make  him  believe  you  love  him  ;  lead  him  on  ; 
play  him  off — and  it  may  be  he  will  be  smart  enough, 


60  COTTON   STEALING. 

valuable  enough,  to  use  as  an  agent.  TV  e  may  tempt 
him,  and  make  him  a  traitor.  Hereafter  you  may 
find  a  place  in  New  York  to  work,  and  then  this  fel- 
low may  be  of  serviqe.  My  mind  is  full  of  plans, 
projects  and  hopes.  In  every  one  I  have  hate  and 
vengeance  against  our  enemy.  It  may  be  necessary 
to  marry  some  one  to  aid  on  our  cause.  I  hope  not. 
Then,  I  mistake  if  you  are  not  ready.  When  the 
war  is  done,  it  will  be  strange  if  there  is  no  grave  for 
a  Yankee  wife,  or  a  Yankee  husband.  Do  you  under- 
gtand  Leette  ?  Our  country  first,  and  afterward, 
peace,  home  and  love.  Here  we  are.  Wouldn't  it 
be  a  joke  if  this  was  your  first  visit  to  your  hus- 
band?" 

"  I  could  choke  him." 

"  You  may  choke  by  and  by,  when  we  are  done 
with  him.  I  tell  you,  I  enjoy  the  simplicity  of  these 
green,  unsophisticated  Yankee  farmer  sons.  They 
let  out  information  as  freely  as  laundress  Dinah 
soapy  water — it  is  all  pure  gold  to  me.  Let  us  see 
you  come  the  Union  woman  over  him." 

The  corporal  lay  on  several  bundles  of  corn-fodder 
which  the  old  slave  had  spread  open,  covering  them 
with  a  tattered  blanket.  She  had  kindly  washed  not 
only  his  bruised  body,  but  his  clothes,  which  were 
no"\v  quite  decent.  Had  they  not  been  covered  with 
mud,  he  would  have  had  neither  pants  nor  coat,  for 
the  guerillas  took  his  shoes  and  stockings.  His  coat 
was  spared — too  clotted  with  blood  to  be  an  object  of 
desire.  Motionless,  on  his  back  he  was  attended  by 
a  slave  girl  moistening  the  cloths  on  head  and  face, 
arm  and  side. 


COTTON    STEALING.  61 

They  came  and  looked  at  him.  Ilis  eye  met  theirs. 
— Waiting. 
.  "  Are  you  hungry  ?"     He  shook  his  head. 

"  Laws-a-mighty,  massa,  he  don't  want  nuflfin.  He 
don't  say  nuffln.  He  jest  lies  dar — jest  so.  Look 
at  dem  yer  feet.  Dey's  quality  feet,  dem  ar.  I 
reckon  his  mammy' d  let  on  ef  she  seed  him  so  kinder 
gone  like." 

"  How  do  you  feel  ?" 

"Very  well." 

"  Can  I  do  anything  for  you  ?" 

The  impulsive  womanhood  of  Leette  entered  her 
voice.  Manet  had  no  interest  in  La  Scheme,  had  no 
ill-will  toward  the  man  whose  word  helped  save  his 
life.  But  Leette  was  a  woman,  and  lie  saw  in  her 
the  angel  which  might  be.  God  gave  woman  to  man 
as  a  heaven-token.  She  is  pure  and  holy,  and  to  the 
sterner  part  of  humanity  is  an  angel.  How  sad  that 
angels  can  ever  fall !  Manet  thought  she  was  an 
ansrel.     He  knew    not    she    had    fallen.     He    an- 

o 

swered —  ^ . 

"I  thank  you." 

Leette  turned  to  her  companion,  ''  I  like  him.  I 
will  take  care  of  him  and  have  him  well  when  you 
come  back." 

"  Do  not  fall  in  love  with  a  Yankee — I  shall  be 
jealous." 

"Never  fear,  I  know  my  duty." 

"  Corporal,  what  is  your  name  ?  Mine  is  Leette. 
You  must  call  me  Leette.  No,  you  are  a  Yankee. 
My  slaves  call  me  Miss  Leette,  you  may  call  me  so 
too." 


62  COTTON   STEALING. 

"James  Manet." 

"Mr.  James."  She  caught  a  notion  of  respect, 
from  the  calm  dignity  of  the  wounded  prisoner, 
which  informed  her  of  strength  and  character.  "  I 
must  go  and  say  good-bye  to  my  friend.  As  soon 
as  he  is  gone,  and  I  can  safely  move  you,  I  liave  a 
pleasanter  room  for  you  in  the  house.  Get  well  as 
fast  a?  you  can." 

And  now,  while  the  man  La  Scheme  throws  the 
wh-ole  of  his  great  life,  the  whole  of  his  great  mind, 
the  whole  of  his  great  energy  into  the  work  before 
him  ;  while  he  hastens  into  tlie  national  army  lines, 
forswears  himself,  and  passes  North ;  studies  the 
situation,  consults  with  those  friends  of  rebellion, 
those  politicians  like  himself  who  go  in  for  spoils, 
get  all  they  can,  and  keep  all  they  can  get ;  those 
men  who  made  such  pledges,  such  forgone  forfeitures 
of  themselves,  their  patriotism  and  their  country,  that 
Jeff.  Davis,  Floyd  &  Co.  were  confident  no  war  could 
by  any  possibility  ensue — while  he  forms  organiza- 
tions, metes  ouUpromises,  and  creates  depositories  for 
rebel  gold  ;  while  he  takes  advantage  through  his 
assistants  of  the  Yankee  speculations  in  rebel  lines  ; 
while  he  puts,  as  far  as  his  great  genius  can,  every 
friend  or  foe  under  obligations,  and  subsidizes  them 
for  the  cause — always  laying  by  a  safe  sum  for  emer- 
gencies— and  while  Leette  assists  in  every  way  open 
to  her  as  a  woman,  this  story  runs  back  to  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war  and  narrates  some  plain  and  true  in- 
cidents, which  are  not  fancy, 'which  belong  to  the  his- 
tory of  James  Manet,  which  also  belong  to  the  history 


COTTON   STEALING.  63 

of  the  country,  for  they  are  matters  of  fact.  Matters 
of  fact  which  Leette  learns,  one  by  one  ;  questioning 
by  kind  look,  kind  word,  kind  deed  ;  worming  her 
snake-path  into  liis  life  ;  not  a  snake,  nor  yet  a  viper, 
a  human  possibility  for  curse  or  blessing,  as  evil  or 
good  obtain  ultimate  supremacy  over  her  soul. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

On  the  first  day  of  January,  in  the  year  1861, 
when  Abraham  Lincoln  had  been  elected,  but  not 
yet  inaugurated,  that  individual  of  whom  Shakespeare 
wrote  "  Grod  made  him,  and  therefore  let  him  pass 
for  a  man,"  still  being  seated  in  the  presidential 
chair,  I  was  invited  to  a  quiet  dinner  party. 

The  day,  if  I  remember  right,  was  rugged — a 
mixture  of  sunshine  and  more  shade ;  the  shade 
constructed  of  gray  clouds — not  built  up  from  earth, 
but  built  down  from  above,  until  they  seemed  the 
gloomy  granite  of  a  big  prison,  whose  ceiling  con- 
stantly threatened  yet  never  tumbled  down.  I  re- 
member how  I  watched  the  lake — one  of  those  great 
seas  whose  water  is  not  deep  enough  to  be  blue — 
which,  reflecting  the  leaden  sky,  presented  a  horri- 
ble, cold,  relentless  color  as  the  waves  rolled  over 
and  over  in  mad  windrows  tOAvard  the  shore.  A 
shore  of  white  sand  in  summer  ;  whiter  now  in  the 
spotless  snow,  as  if  a  white  wave-crest  had»  forgotten 
to  roll  back. 

There  was  no  fear,  though  the  waves  dashed  terri- 
bly against  the  breakwater  and  hurled  their  icy  spray 
high  over  the  lighthouse  on  the  pier,  that  they  would 


COTTON   STEALING.  65 

reach  the  town,  which  was  safe  on  a  high  bluff — a 
beautiful  face  looking  down  at  its  feet,  where  our 
gentle  river  wound  its  snow-clad  prairie  over  marshes 
in  which  autumn  taught  the  wild  rice  to  ripen,  and 
the  untamed  duck  to  gather  strength  for  long  flight 
to  thQ  land  of  summer. 

On  the  far  side  of  the  river,  the  aged  oakR,  whose 
babyhood  whistled  sapling-songs  in  the  ears  of  Mani- 
tou's  departed,  lifted  a  thousand  thousand  moss- 
grown  limbs  in  defiance  of  the  rude  old  warrior, 
whose  annual  attacks  they  had  ever  braved,  seeming 
to  shake  tlieir  sturdy  fagots  at  and  in  the  sky  :  and 
this  they  did  ;  for  squalls  drove  through  the  air  from 
the  lake,  on  to  the  pier,  over  the  beach,  over  the  sand- 
hills, over  the  saw-mill,  on  to  the  bluff,  then  through 
the  houses  and  steeples  and  over  the  river  into  the 
woods — flurries  of  snow,  without  a  pendulum  and 
untimed  by  any  clock.  How  savage  every  flake ! 
An  independent  warrior  envenomed  to  kill;  but  with- 
out the  ability,  though  tlie  wind  was  implacable  as  a 
fury,  and  sharp  as  the  glance  of  a  piercing  eye. 

Into  this  I  must  dive  before  the  warm  hearthstone 
and  genial  cheer  which  awaited  the  invited  guests 
could  be  reached.  The  hour  hastened,  the  short  day 
was  saying  night  when  the  gray  opened. 

You  can  always  see  heaven  when  the  gate  is  open. 
How  quickly  it  shut !  Then  a  cloud  from  the  horizon 
came  driving  with  impetuous  speed  toward  the  shore. 
As  it  drew  nearer  it  separated  from  the  sky — a  cloud- 
storm  on  its  own  hook — an  island  of  storm — a  whirl- 
wind of  gray  filled  with  flakes — a  distinct  wrath  an 
5 


66  COTTON   STEALING. 

hundred  feet  tigh,  driving  before  it  acres  on  acres  of 
white-caps.  Just  here  the  sun  scowled  and  illumina- 
ted the  savage  flakes,  which,  between  the  scowl  of  the 
sky,  and  the  scowl  of  the  wave,  and  the  scowl  of  the 
sun,  became  a  vivid  russet  color,  a  volcano  half 
cooled,  wliich  attacked  the  town — shaking  the  houses, 
ratthng  windows,  shutters,  doors ;  whistling  in  every 
nail-hole,  and  filling  every  crevice  with  its  sifting 
army  of  snow. 

It  tlireatened  in  distance  like  a  mountain  of  thunder  ; 

It  burst  on  the  lake  like  a  torrent  of  woe ; 
It  was  gone  in  an  instant — a  twinkling  of  wonder — 

And  left,  as  a  monument,  notliing  hut  snow. 

That  evening  the  sun  set  in  beauty.  This  we  saw, 
looking  from  the  table.  When,  heavier  duties  being 
performed,  the  hale  old  gentlemen,  George  Washing- 
ton Wirtman,  father-in-law  to  James  Manet,  asked 
his  guests  their  opinion  of  the  events  foreshadowed 
by  such  a  fitful  New- Year's  day,  I  remember,  for  it 
seems  many  years  ago, — seems  like  a  dream  of  child- 
hood, a  dream  of  aa  old  man  whose  skinny  fingers 
smooth  a  grandchild's  hair, — how,  one  by  one,  we 
wedged  our  minds  a  little  into  the  dark  future,  trying 
to  find  a  gleam  of  light. 

]\[anet's  mother — ^lioly  word  ! — thinking  no  evil, 
could  not  conceive  of  any  war.  A  woman  whose 
heart  was  big  enough  for  her  head  to  swim  in  ;  a 
head  made  not  like  a  pin's,  by  a  hammer,  but  thought- 
ful, educated  to  teach  the  youthful  and  mature  mind, 
and  control  by  the  instincts  of  common  sense ;    a 


COTTON   STEALING.  67 

mother  causing  a  dead  name  to  be  held  in  reverence 
in  the  family  of  a  second  husband,  and  the  children 
•whom  she  had  adopted  in  the  new  relation  to  love  her 
more  for  the  just  affection  she  lavished  on  them  who 
had  lost  their  mother.  Her  house  was  home  ;  not  of 
riches,  for  daily  toil  brought  daily  bread  ;  but  home, 
where  love  seasoned  every  feast.  This  of  to-day 
was  given  her  son,  James,  a  fine  young  man,  aged 
twenty-two,  who  had  a  clerkship  at  twenty-five  dol- 
lars per  month  in  a  country  store. 

Daily  duty  confined  him  from  early  light  until 
nine  in  the  evening,  when  he  put  up  the  shutters  and 
went  to  bed.  Slept  in  the  store  :  which  means  a 
space  sepailhed  from  the  spare  catch-everything, 
without  carpet,  stove,  wash-stand,  or  clothes-press ; 
gloomy  in  winter  and  stifling  in  summer.  He  could 
not  go  home  save  twice  a  day  ;  a  tin  pail  being  table- 
cloth, knife,  fork,  and  dinner  company.  That  tin 
pail !  Who  prepared  it  every  morning  ?  Mother. 
And  the  sweet  stories  of  remembrance  it  sang ;  the 
little  acts  of  self-sacrifice  that  every  now  and  then 
unexpectedly  peered  out ;  the  kindness  of  the  bread 
and  buttel"  to  the  son  loved  by  a  mother  who  studied 
his  tastes  and  anticipated  his  wants, — oh,  tin  pail ! 
many  and  many  a  weary,  hungry  picket  night  hast 
thou  stood  out  in  the  dark  thicket,  bedecked  with  the 
jewels  of  memory,  and  many  a  long  wish  has  gone 
far  back  into  the  past  for  your  return  ;  and  then  the 
heart  has  opened  its  great  love  and  drawn  the  holy 
thought  within  and  folded  mother  to  the  dearest  spot 
of  a  noble  patriot  soul.     Good  bye  :  you  are  a  jewel. 


68  COTTON   STEALING. 

Ah,  when  we  get  to  heaven,  many  a  coarse,  rough 
earthen  vessel  will  be  found  there  ;  while  dazling  dja- 
dems  are  dross  forever  !  For  three  long  years,  bar- 
rels, gallons,  dimes,  dollars,  yards,  bushels,  codfish, 
fire  in  the  morning,  shutters  at  night,  and  tin  pail 
had  turned  like  the  wheels  of  an  old  family  wagon, 
di'iven  to  church  by  a  staid  New  England  deacon. 

James  had  done  nothing  for  himself.  His  wages 
were  willingly  given  to  his  mother.  God  bless  that 
mother  !  Her  boy's  heart  was  of  her  heart  a  part, — 
a  big  heart,  with  room  to  spare, — and  James  would 
have  died  for  her.     Now  he  was  a  man,  she  had  said  : 

"  James,  come  home  this  New  Year's  day.  You 
have  few  holidays.  You  must  have  one  good  dinner 
to  remember  beside  Sunday's.  I  have  your  em- 
ployer's consent.  You  shall  invite  whom  you  please, 
and  the  party  shall  be  yours.  You  deserve  one 
happy  day,  and  I  offer  this  as  an  omen  of  a  happy 
New  Year." 

Can  you  see  her  quiet,  earnest  face  ?^happy — 
running  over — making  welcome  felt?  Her  eye  is 
pouring  out  gifts  beyond  rubies  ;  shining  a^  the  stars 
shine,  beaming  as  the  stars  beam.  Her  voice  sweet 
with  kindness ;  the  tone  diffusive,  common  property, 
enough  for  all  ;  to  be  appropriated  by  whoever 
choose,  with  that  attribute  of  possessory  right  which 
means  me,  mine. 

In  summer,  morning  brings  light  and  sunshine : 
Mother  is  the  morning  of  this  summer;  gentle  sis- 
ters— only  two — the  flowers  of  this  home.  Bright- 
eyed  Jennie  ;  Lilly  Sue,  a  drop  of  life  set  in  gossa- 


COTTON   STEALING.  69 

mer  tissue.  Alina  Sandison  (daiigliter  of  the  Chair- 
man of  the  County  Committee  ;  the  same  Sandison 
who  had  been  a  room-mate  of  Kendal  La  Scheme, 
and  owner  of  the  store  where  James  was  clerk)  is 
here  as  an  exotic,  loaned  and  borrowed — the  village 
beauty ;  but  of  her  more  hereafter.  James  Manet 
threw  his  love  away  on  her?  Wait.  Love  is  a 
study.  Study  this  love.  Alina  Sandison  to-day  is 
a  mirror.  The  distinction  between  mind-mirrors  lies 
in  memory.  Eyes  reflect,  faces  shine.  To-morrow 
will  tell  whether  the  soul  is  mere  sand,  fused,  rolled 
and  backed  with  amalgum,  or  not :  to-morrow,  when 
the  soul  wakes, — and  that  to-morrow  may  not  be  for 
years, — will  it  remember  ? 

From  early  childhood,  God's  sweet  gifts  had  been 
peace  to  all  these  daughters.  The  wind  had  blown 
rouglily  at  long  intervals  ;  brought  troubles  and  trials 
which  seemed  mountains — such  mountains  as  the  deni- 
zen of  the  West  finds  in  the  rolling  prairie,  never 
having  climbed  the^lleghanies  or  Blue  Ridge.  How 
could  they  imagine  what  a  few  short  months  would 
bring  !  That  the  hurricanes  of  sorrow  would  beat 
on  their  wounded  souls  traveling  with  weary  steps  to 
the  summit  ;  where  these  elevations  of  grief  are  but 
rolling  prairie  to  the  Andes,  the  Chimborazos,  the 
Himalayas  of  anguish  that  loom  in  awful  grandeur — 
impending  in  terrible  proximity  over  all  the  future. 
The  future  to  them  was  a  garden — its  probable  events 
beautiful  flowers. 

There  was  another  member  of  this  circle,  son 
Henry's  wife — daughter  Mary — serving  in  the  kit- 


70  COTTON   STEALING. 

chen  ;  a  service  of  joj  :  like  the  Saviour's  lowly  act 
of  hospitality  to  his  disciples,  which  makes  the  doer 
chief  in  the  heart  of  those  whose  feet  are  washed — 
standing  in  the  door  with  lier  bahe  in  her  arras. 
Black  hair  ;  dark  eyes,  now  pleasant  with  joy,  but 
possessing  the  deep,  distant  look  of  capacity  for  suf- 
fering. She  was  of  those  who  are  sensitive  to 
distant  danger.  In  this  case  there  were  no  nettles  in 
the  air.  One  by  one,  pleasant  joys  and  glories  of 
the  present  set  a  gleam  of  sunshine  over  the  spirits 
of  all.  Even  Mr.  Wirtman,  anxious  for  the  future, 
did  not  believe  the  acts  of  secession  by  the  Southern 
states  more  than  ebullitions  of  a  defeated  party,  who 
w^ould  yield,  as  they  ever  had  done,  to  the  principle 
of  republics  acquiesing  in  the  will  of  the  majority. 

I  have  seen  a  little  play-mate  destroy  the  pleasure 
of  a  whole  bevy  of  bright  eyes  and  pleasant  faces  by 
a  pout,  a  cross  word,  or  a  selfish  "I  will,"  or  "I 
wont."  A  destroyer  threw  this  group  into  deep 
thought  by  saying  :  ^ 

"  I  believe  there  will  be  a  terrible  war — a  war  of 
eight  years'  duration." 

"  Impossible  !  "  "  What  do  you  mean  !*'  "  You 
must  be  crazy  !  "     "  Why  !  "     "  Horrible  !  " 

Surprise  was  on  every  side.  From  out  the  kitchen 
four  eyes — the  babe  was  like  its  mother — looked  over 
the  table,  as  if  the  southern  west  held  a  corpse.  The 
untrained  lips  could  not  say  ^'Father." 

"  Since  the  idea  strikes  so  unfavorably,  I  will  re- 
duce the  time  to  three  years — not  a  moment  less." 

"I  beHeve,"  said  Mr.  Wii'tman,    "our   Southern 


COTTON    STEALING.  71 

brethren  design  to  show  us  by  their  votes  of  seces- 
sion how  firmly  they  are  determined  to  maintain  their 
opinion  of  their  rights ;  but  I  do  not  believe  they 
will  ever  attempt  to  wage  war  against  the  national 
government.  I  hardly  hope  to  see  them  join  in  the 
inauguration  of  President  Lincoln.  Tliey  will  be- 
come reconciled,  however,  and  the  future  will  be  as 
pleasant  as  the  past." 

Ascain  came  the  disturbinor  voice : 

"  You  do  not  know  the  people  of  the  South.  Nor 
do  I,  save  those  met  at  college  and  in  the  laAV  school 
at  Cambridge.  I  found  them — whom  I  regard  as 
types  of  the  whole — large-hearted,  open-handed, 
quick  to  resent  an  injury,  and  unwilling  to  forgive; 
the  best  of  friends  and  the  worst  of  foes  ;  the  soul 
of  cliivalry  and  the  incarnation  of  self-will.  Their 
motjier  filled  her  duty  by  giving  them  birth ;  a  ne- 
gro, at  the  penalty  of  a  kick,  or  a  cuff,  or  a  scar, 
trained  the  child  in  the  way  it  should  go.  Their 
will,  never  broken,  has  ruled  the  Union ;  and  now, 
seeing  their  scepter  passing  away,  they  pr^er  to  die 
than  yield.  They  will  not  yield.  They  seceed. 
They  wait^ot  for  the  North,  but  enunciate  their  own 
proposition :  ^  Grant  us  all  we  ask,  and  we  stay  ; 
refuse,  and  we  never  will  return.  You  dare  not 
fight ;  if  you  do,  one  Southern  man  can  whip  five 
Northern  men  at  any  time.  Our  forbearance  is  stig- 
matized as  cowardice.     There  remains  nothinor  but 

o 

war.'  " 

"  Hurrah  for  war  and  glory  !     I  am  in.     There  is 
a  chance  for  you  and  me,  James.     I  will  be  cap'tain,  • 


72  COTTON   STEALING. 

and  you  shall  go  cook.  I  do  hope  we  shall  have  a 
little.  In  six  months  we  shall  whip  them  out  and  be 
better  friends  than  ever. 

The  words  of  Charles  Hardone.  Mark  him.  A 
handsome,  lively,  dashing,  good  boy,  fellow-clerk  to 
James.  When  not  at  the  stove,  telling  stories,  he  is 
at  the  show-case,  among  ribbons  ; — codfish,  mackerel, 
salt  pork,  butter,  cheese,  lard,  etc.,  for  James.  A 
trump  among  the  boys,  and  a  lion  among  the  young 
girls  ;  a  good  runner  and  jumper ;  handy  at  ball  or 
any  otlier  game ;  not  bad  at  a  story ;  prompt  with  a 
repartee  ;  the  first  to  laugh  and  give  a  joke,  and  no 
fool  at  a  song.  lie,  too,  loved  Alina  Sandison,  as 
did  all  the  young  men.  Who  would  not  love  a  hand- 
some, wilful  girl — the  prize  of  the  county — one  to 
be  looked  up  at — one  who  knew  her  advantages? 
Was  his  love  thrown  away  ?     Wait.     What  is  love  ? 

Alina  Sandison  looked  on  this  burst  of  enthusiasm 
with  dangerous  homlige.  Women  love  brave  men. 
Debarred  from  opportunity  to  manifest  the  strength 
of  their  #wn  character  and  will  by  hard  blows,  they 
adore  courage,  nobleness  and  daring.  With  the 
womanly  feeling,  composed  partly  of  a  quiver,  partly 
of  a  thrill,  she  asked,  '  Wouldn't  you  be  afraid  to  be 
a  soldier  ?  " 

He  replied  by  singing  to  the  tune  of  ''  Janet  and 
Janot  " : 


COTTON   STEALING.  78 


"  Oh,  I  want  to  be  a  soldier  and  go  into  the  war ; 
For  I  hear  the  call  of  glory,  and  worship  honor's  star. 
I  will  gladly  leave  my  home  and  enter  in  the  strife, 
And,  rather  than  be  conquered,  I  will  offer  up  my  life. 
Oh,  if  only  I'd  been  there,  when  Bunker  Hill  was  young, 
I'd  wrote  my  name  in  tire  and  stamped  it  on  each  tongue. 
But  the  days  of  war  are  past  and  the  days  of  peace  have  come, 
With  every  chance  oi' glory  lost,  poor  I  must  stay  at  home. 
With  every  chance  of  glory  lost,  poor  I  must  stay  at  home." 

"  You  seem  to  believe  war  impossible,  Ilardone. 
I  hope  it  may  not  come.  But  let  me  assure  you  that 
the  pride  of  the  South  will  not  permit  them  to  re- 
trace their  steps,  were  destruction  seen  by  their  own 
eyes  before  their  own  feet.  With  the  chances  of 
success  now  tempting,  they  will  not,  cannot  recede. 
Their  honor  is  involved,  their  reputation  at  stake, 
their  self-respect  indicted,  and  they  now  would  expe- 
rience a  thousand  deaths  rather  Aan  face  to  the  rear. 
Their  pride  is  a  mountain,  which  will  yield  only  to 
death;  and  when  that  pride  stands  against  the  Union, 
against  the  permanence  of  the  institutions  entrusted 
to  us  by  our  patriot  fathers,  that  pride  must  not  only 
yield  but  be  demoUshed ;  and  if,  in  such  destruction, 
extermination  becomes  a  necessity,  then  they  must 
die.  Fear  not,  you  will  have  a  chance  to  win  fame, 
honor  and  glory." 

"  Mother,"  asks  James,  ''  would  you  be  willing  for 
me  to  be  a  soldier?" 

"James,"    is    her     reply,    ''Your    grandfather's 
father  was  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.     He  fought 


74  COTTOX    STEALING. 

in  1812.  When  your  country  calls,  go.  Your 
friend  takes  an  unfortunate  view  of  human  nature. 
The  time  he  anticipates  will  never  come." 

Problem  in  1860.  The  future.  Given,  the  North 
and  the  South  and  slavery.     What  will  the  end  be  ? 

Immediate,  uncompensated  liberty  for  the  negro 
slave,  say  the  abolitionists. 

Non-intervention,  says  Douglas  and  the  democrats 
of  the  North. 

Intervention  means  freedom,  non-intervention, 
means  freedom — see  Kansas, — say  the  leaders  of  the 
South.  Intervention  we  demand,  legalizing,  nation- 
alizing, protecting  slavery  everywhere. 

Intervention,  says  the  Republican  party,  to  limit, 
hedge  in,  bound  and  forever  block  the  farther  exten- 
sion of  the  slave  institution. 

Non-intervention,  means  freedom.  You  are  all 
abolitionists,  and  we  seceed  from  the  Union,  say  the 
South.  • 

The  world  does  not  comprehend  the  crisis,  not 
even  does  the  country.  But  the  far-seeing  states- 
men of  the  South  recoornize  the  hand-writingr  on  the 
wall  and  forestall  the  battle  of  human  progress. 
They  strike  the  first  blow  because  the  contest  is  in- 
evitable. They  comprehend  the  coming  struggle  in 
its  height,  its  depth,  its  far  length,  its  wide  breadth. 
If  you  yield,  grant  all,  whatsoever  we  ask,  whenso- 
ever we  call,  wheresoever  we  be,  howsoever  it  may  be 
necessary  to  be  done,  make  us  kings,  conquerors, 
masters,  be  our  subjects,  servants,  slaves,  we  will  be 
your  friends,  your  kind  masters.     If  not,   if  you 


COTTON   STEALING.  75 

refuse,  if  joii  attempt  to  maintain  the  old  Union,  you 
must  exterminate  us  for  we  will  never  go  back. 

Do  not  mistake.  The  mass  of  southern  people 
comprehend  no  more  than  the  masses  of  the  North. 
No  better  than  did  Manet's  mother :  they  are  not 
governed  by  logic,  but  by  hope  ;  the  great  managing 
minds,  sitting  on  the  lofty  summits  of  thought  and 
will  and  pride,  they  alone,  gazing  from  their  high  ele- 
vation were  masters  of  the  situation. 

In  reply  to  James'  mothei* — for  the  tone  of  her 
remark  was  kind  pity — the  disturber  said,  "  1  am 
sorry  I  cannot  see  as  you  do.  Since  I  have  given 
you  a  new  thought,  storming  the  placid  quiet  of  your 
mind,  I  will  fire  a  closing  volley.  I  have  said  there 
would  be  war.  Of  course  this  is  mere  speculation. 
Let  me  add,  war  will  not  end,  until  battles  four  or 
five,  perhaps  more,  will  be  fought,  in  which  the  num- 
ber of  killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides  will  amount 
to  forty  or  fifty  and  possibly  a  hundred  thousand." 

Unprepared  for  the  thought  of  war,  this  assertion 
would  have  seemed  too  reckless,  too  improbable  to  be 
worthy  of  contempt ;  but  that  called  manner,  the 
something  more  than  words  which  coming  from,  goes 
to  the  soul,  startled  an  emotion  of  astonishment, 
which  found  vent  in  the  sign  language  of  lungs  and 
heart ;  tongue  and  ear  were  suspended,  the  organs  of 
insensible  perspiration  became  respiratory,  breathed 
and  filled  the  room  with  suspense. 

Then  that  mother  was  first  conscious  of  an  infant 
dread,  a  babe  of  death  born  in  her  heart.  Oh,  God  ! 
what  misery  tliere  is  in  a  word  I  What  horror  in  an 
indirect  conception  of  the  possible  ! 


76  COTTON   STEALING. 

The  old  gentleman  Tvliose  experience  was  weighty, 
who  was  already  the  watcher  in  sleepless  nights  of 
thought,  absorbed  in  contemplating  the  may  he  of  his 
country,  calmly  turned  from  the  speaker  to  his  other 
guests,  with  the  remark  : 

"  I  do  not  believe  such  a  calamity  can  be  permitted 
by  the  good  God.  Whatever  may  be  in  store  for  us, 
safety  is  in  his  hands.  I  confess  I  discover  no  peace- 
ful solution  of  this  problem,  nevertheless,  confidence 
in  our  glorious  destiny  does  not  forsake  me  an  in- 
stant. Like  my  wife  I  can  only  be  sorry  our  friend 
sees  no  good  in  the  future." 

"Far  from  it,"  said  he,  in  reply.  "  I  see  every 
good  in  the  future.  The  impending  conflict,  per- 
mitted by  our  Heavenly  Father,  is  beyond  present 
conception.  "We  cannot  attain  to  its  termination. 
Schiller  says  :  '  Great  evils  take  great  remedies  to 
redress  them,  and  tempests  fittest  scatter  pes- 
tilence." If,  as  I  believe,  such  the  evil  to  be  re- 
dressed, the  moral  convulsion  will  be  equal  to  a  tor- 
nado on  the  tropical  islands.  There  will  be  a  new 
heaven  and  earth,  but  the  glorious  sun  will  look 
through  purified  atmosphere  on  prostrate  palm  and 
evergreen  forest ;  on  ruin,  wreck  and  death  ;  solemn 
witnesses  of  the  cost  of  purity.  Excuse  me  for  cast- 
ing a  damper  on  our  pleasant  gathering.  I  was  only 
honest  to  myself  in  speaking  these  cruel  anticipa- 
tions. May  they  prove  incorrect.  To  show  my 
sincerity,  I  propose  with  the  consent  of  my  hostess 
to  invite  the  guests  here  present  next  New  Years' 
day  to  dine  in  this  room.     We  will  then  be  able  to 


COTTON   STEALING.  77 

see  that  I  am  wrong,  and  I  pledge  myself  to  make 
a  valuable  monument  by  wliicli  to  remember  my  bad 
prophecy. 

There  is  a  good  time  coming,  if  not  very  nigh — 
When  "the  stars"  shall  shine  in  a  cloudless  sky, 
When  the  f\iig  of  the  free,  and  the  hope  of  the  brave, 
Shall  no  more  droop  o'er  the  home  of  the  slave. 
Let  it  come !    Let  it  come  !  ^ 

The  good  day  is  coming,  when  love  alone. 
Shall  rule  every  heart  and  fill  every  home, 
When  the  lust  of  wealth  and  the  pride  of  power 
Shall  vanish  like  smoke  and  be  known  no  more. 
Let  it  come !    Let  it  come ! 

That  good  day  is  coming.    The  heart  shall  stand 
And  greet  every  freeman  on  freedom's  land, 
The  stars  and  stripes  shall  spotlessly  wave 
O'er  ^  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave, 
i^et  it  come !    Let  it  come  ! 

The  good  day  is  coming,  God  speed  it  on, 
Like  Spring's  rosy  morning  when  winter  is  gone  ; 
When  the  South  shall  bloom  like  a  fruitful  tree 
With  labor's  white  home,  the  home  of  the  free. 
Let  it  come !    Let  it  come ! 


wk7 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Looking  back,  I  remember  the  Republican  conven- 
tion at  Chicago.  The  great  wigwam,  the  young 
men's  Lincoln  club,  the  assembling  of  delegates  and 
their  alternates,  the  deep  subtle  schemes  and  plans  of 
those  men  who  shaped  their  course  bj  the  probable 
turn  of  events,  so  as  to  seem  directors  of  the  public 
mind,  while  merely  sharpers  snatching  the  floating 
di'ift  on  "  that  tide  in  the  affairs  of  men  ivhich  taken 
at  its  flood  leads  on  to  fortune.''  I  rememli^r,  for  it 
was  my  fortune  to  stand  in  the  space  reserved  for 
the  honorary  members  of  the  convention,  the 
mighty  enthusiasm  which  attended  the  nomination 
of  Abraham  Lincoln  ;  the  peculiar  broken-downness 
of  those  whose  hopes  were  built  on  Wm.  H.  Seward. 
Most  particularly,  I  never  can  forget  the  scene  which 
transpired  in  the  office  of  one  of  the  distinguished 
lawyers  of  Chicago,  then  an  important  officer  in  the 
United  States  Supreme  Court.  I  remember  an 
alternate  delegate,  who  wrote  Hon.  before  his  name, 
and  half  a  million  after  it  was  enquiring  of  the  legal 
gentleman,  having  had  long  acquaintance  with  Old 
Abe  as  a  lawyer  :     "  Was  he  a  smart  man  ?" 

And  the  answer  was  : 


COTTON   STEALING.  79 

"No  ;  only  a  first-rate,  clever  fellow." 
•     '^Wluit  kind  of  a  lawyer?"  continued  the  ques- 
tioner. 

*'  Tolerable.     We  class  him  as  third-rate." 

And  then  was  asked  this  wonderful  ([uestion : 

"  Can  he  tell  a  good,  smutty  story  ?  " 

"  Can't  be  beat  at  that."  / 

Which  answer  was  followed  by  this  cutting^  com- 
ment on  the  qualifications  essential  in  tliis  man's  ex- 
perience of  Washington  society : 

'^  Well,  then,  perhaps  he  will  do." 

Afterwards  the  gentleman,  entering  into  general 
conversation,  (for  the  small  knot  gathered   in   the 
office  represented  New  York,  Massachusetts,  Michi- 
gan, Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Nebraska,— each  giving 
utterance  to  the  thoughts  of  the  hour;  and  the  suc- 
cessful friends  of  the  nominee  were  replying  to  every 
deprecatory  remark  by  quoting  his  known  character 
for  honesty,)  said :     "  Honest  Old  Abe  may  do  well 
enough  in  Illinois ;  but  when  he  gets  to  Washington 
he  will  find  himself  in  hell!"     I  remember  my  in- 
ward comment  on  the  few  tears  which  that  old,  tough 
business  politician  wrung  from  his  eyes,  humihated 
by  defeat  into  indiff'ercnce  to  manly  shame.     "  Penn- 
sylvania  sold  us.     But  we  would  have  raised  two 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  in   the   city  of 
New  York  alone,  to  have  carried  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and,  if  more  had  been  necessary,  we  would, 
have  made  it  up  to  a  million." 

Why  do  I  remember  these  incidents  of  the  past  ? 
What,  if  anything,  to  do  with  cotton  ?     Because  the 


80  COTTON   STEALING. 

iniquities  connected  with  cotton  are  the  direct  off- 
spring of  the  abuse  of  free  institutions,  and  the  com- 
mon practice  of  purchase  and  sale  of  personal  influ- 
ence among  party  men.  The  morahtj  of  a  nation 
that  tolerates  the  schemes  of  wire-workers,  reward- 
ing the  most  astute  and  successful  by  the  highest 
posts  of  honor  and  trust,  that  nation  must  suffer  the 
penalty,  defeat  in  war  through  incompetent  leadership ; 
the  useless  sacrifice  of  valuable  life  at  the  shrine  of 
the  god  cotton ;  the  wholesale  traffic  of  senators  and 
representatives  bought  and  sold  by  a  per  centage  on 
all,  each  and  every  gallon  of  whisky  drank  in  the  Uni- 
ted States.  This  is  the  thought  of  the  present  mo- 
ment ;  the  best  of  present  judgment.  Throughout  this 
work  the  I  claims  no  peculiar  infalibility,  having  too 
often  been  taught  that  to  err  is  human ;  having,  by 
force  of  circumstances,  changed  opinion.  Change 
of  opinion  is  not  necessarily  degrading.  Water  with- 
out motion  stagnates  ;  human  thought  cannot  be  per- 
fect. God  alone  possesses  exhaustive  knowledge 
which  is  capable  of  unerring  certainty.  Conse- 
quently that  mind,  that  political  creed,  that  party 
which  never  errs  must  be  divine  or  else  a  dead  pool, 
with  neither  progress  or  life.  The  assumption  of 
infallibility  by  a  being  less  than  supreme,  is  itself  an 
indication  of  weakness,  yet  every  independent  mind 
has  a  certain  self-confidence,  a  kin  to  infallibility, 
without  which  life  and  actions  are  worthless.  This 
is  right,  for  so  far  as  our  knowledge  exhausts  the 
subject,  so  far  our  reason  and  judgment  are  correct. 
To  this  extent  humanity  can  be  infallible.     Yet  new 


COTTON    STEALING.  81 

ideas  should  be  enunciated  humbly,  lest  crossing  the 
settled  notions  of  the  past,  thej  excite  prejudice, 
than  "Nvhich  notliing  is  more  diiBcult  to  overcome. 
Whereon  it  follows,  that  the  most  useful,  if  not  skill- 
ful arguers  are  those  who  state  the  proposition 
simply,  distinctly,  so  that  every  mind  clearly  compre- 
hends the  issue,  sees  the  point.  Beyond  this, 
nothing  can  be  done,  words,  argument,  are  useless. 
Conviction  is  the  eating  of  truth  into  the  mind,  and 
truth  n^eds  no  assistance,  except  to  be  perceived. 
Could  men  of  education  only  find  terms  of  expres- 
sion, definite,  decisive,  precluding  possibility  of  mis- 
take, the  real  difference  of  opinion  in  the  world 
would  be  immeasurably  reduced  and  misunderstand- 
ing impossible. 

I  think  of  this  as  I  remember  the  convention  of  the 
Democratic  party  at  Baltimore.  Where  the  ablest 
men  of  the  South  had  gathered,  poising  for  an 
instant  on  the  beam  of  destruction,  giving  the  alter- 
native to  their  old  associates  and  tools,  and  to  them- 
selves saying  :  "  Although  we  may  at  your  request 
defer  another  term,  yet  dissolution  and  secession  is 
inevitable,  and  we  will  accept  your  submission  that 
we  may  be  better  prepared  when  the  struggle  comes." 

Honor  to  Stephen  A.  Douglas !  All  honor  to  the 
firm,  stern  patriots  he  represented !  He  saw  the 
future,  and  recognizing  its  import,  refused  to  be  a 
second  Franklin  Pearce  1  It  was  impossible  for  him 
to  be  a  James  Buchanan  I  His  party  standing 
behind  kept  to  his  support  with  unwavering  fidelity, 
which  was  the  hand-writing  on  the  wall.     They  were 


82  COTTON    STEALING. 

not  abolitionists,  thej  believed  in  the  vested  rights  of 
the  constitution.  They  did  not  even  believe  in  inter- 
vention to  keep  slavery  out  of  the  territories,  north 
of  the  compromise  line.  Tliey  did  not  care  a  copper 
for  the  nigger,  but  they  were  for  the  Union,  and 
they  followed  their  leaders  blindly.  To  the  genuine 
secessionist,  Douglas  was  more  dangerous  than  an 
abolitionist.  When  far  down  the  Mississippi,  when 
with  Gen.  Sherman,  after  the  first  battle  at  Chicka- 
saw Bluffs,  after  we  had  gone  up  White  Riyer,  and 
taken  Arkansas  Post — we  went  up  to  the  Cut-off 
before  we  entered  the  Arkansas  River,  our  troops 
landed  at  Napoleon,  and  some  stores  were  broken 
open  and  burnt ;  then  a  man  excusing  himself,  told  me, 
how  in  the  days  before  the  first  hostilities,  after  the 
firing  on  Sumpter,  when  the  last  boat  was  going  up 
the  river,  the  men  of  Napoleon  had  come  on  board 

with  a  halter,  calling  for  the  d d  Yankee — the 

God  d d  abolitionist,  to  take  out  and  hang  him — 

and  said  he,    "  a  Douglas  man  in   Texas,   wliere    I 

came  from  was  stigmatized  as  a  d d  abolitionist." 

Then  he  added,  ''  See  what  I  got  for  being  a  Douglas 
man,"  and  he  stripped,  exhibiting  a  huge  ugly  scar 
half  torn  through  the  thick  muscle  of  his  arm,  while 
a  stab  by  his  collar  bone  and  another  glancing  over  a 
rib  by  his  heart,  were  witnesses  to  his  truth.  "  I 
had  just  got  well  of  those,  and  I  said  nothing,  and 
now  I  would  sink  every  rebel  in  hell.  I  would  burn 
every  house,  rob  every  home,  and  turn  the  whole 
devil-brood  into  the  ashes."  Being  asked  to  explain, 
he  replied  :     "I  was   a  Douglas  man,   talking  poli- 


COTTON   STEALING.  83 

tics,  when  a  Breckenridgeite  called   me    a   d d 


abolition  son .     I  told  him  that  Douglas  was 

the  only  true  Union  man,  that  Breckenridge  was  the 
biggest  abolitionist,  that  the  man  who  voted  for  him 
did  more  to  destroy  the  Union  than  one  who  voted 
for  Abe  Lincoln,  or  any  other  abolition  devil,  and 
tliat  the  quickest  way  to  abolish  slavery  was  to  vote 
for  Breckenridge.  Then  the  cursed  son  of  hell — I 
have  fixed  him  since — took  me  unawares  and 
stabbed  me.  Do  you  blame  me  for  hating  the  rebels  ?" 

Looking  back,  I  remember,  during  the  campaign, 
how  tlie  public  mind  was  waiting ;  how  every  mind 
filled  with  anxiety  for  the  future,  seemed  to  go  out 
after  what  might  be.  I  remember  the  nightly  group 
in  the  store.  The  wide-awake  lamps,  and  the  enthu- 
siasm generated  by  the  fairy  dancing  of  swinging 
lanterns  and  torches. 

Chas.  Hardone  was  Lieut,  of  a  company  in  which 
James  was  private,  but  while  Chas.  was  always  ab- 
sent from  from  the  store,  James  could  only  get  out 
between  hours  as  on  him  fell  the  work  of  both.  Mr. 
Sandison  as  leader  in  the  county  committee,  was  con- 
stantly busy  and  absent,  Charles  was  his  useful  as- 
sistant, but  James  steady  and  reliable,  what  could 
the  store  do  without  him  ? 

So  it  happened  that  Lina  went  to  the  store  on  the 
nights  of  illuminations,  that  she  called  the  steady 
one  to  keep  her  company*;  that  he  sometimes  came, 
and  when  that  was  prevented,  watched  lest  any  insult 
should  be  offered,  for  such  was  the  excitement  in  the 
little  town  that  every  one  was  in   the  street,   even 


84  COTTON   STEALING. 

little  children,  and  times  were  when  whisky  made  the 
rough  men  from  the  woods  forget  the  words  proper 
-and  the  actions  chaste.  Lina's  mother  had  given 
James  a  general  charge,  feeling  safe  when  he  prom- 
ised to  take  care,  and  safer  whenever  Lina  said  "  I 
will  ask  James  to  take  care  of  me." 

As  children  they  had  gone  to  the  same  school ; 
had  not  spoken  often,  were  not  often  playmates, 
had  sddom  met  at  children's  parties.  As  vil- 
lage children  know,  they  knew  each  other.  James 
was  slow,  a  vice  worked  by  a  lever  and  screw,  gather- 
ing together  and  keeping  knowledge.  Persons 
brought  up  with  such  children  do  not  give  them  credit 
for  their  rich  storehouses,  but  estimate  the  rapidity  of 
acquisition  without  credit  for  tenacity.  Yet  the 
quince  tree  bears  quinces  by  and  by — and  oranges 
are  no  worse  because  the  tree  must  grow  ten  years 
before  it  arrives  at  fruit.  Steady  James,  reliable 
James,  who  knew  every  part  of  his  duty  and  did  it ; 
who  had  no  bad  habits  and  was  no  lion,  was  regarded 
as  a  ■  safer  companion  than  many  who  desired  Lina's 
smiles. 

One  evening,  long  before  New  Year's,  when  news 
was  coming  from  every  state  assuring  the  election  of 
Abraham  Lincoln  as  president,  one  grand,  triumphal 
procession  was  inaugurated,  in  which  a  company  of 
ladies  represented  the  states  of  the  Union.  Alina 
was  one.  During  the  afternoon  the  celebration  was 
in  carriages  and  on  horseback.  In  the  evening  some 
enthusiastic  persons  insisted  upon  the  ladies  joining 
the  procession  of  the  Wide-awakes  on  foot.     Charles 


COTTON   STEALING.  85 

Hardone  was  very  ui^ent ;  for  Alina  would  be  an 
oflficer.  With  the  j-udgment  usual  on  such  occasions, 
they  led  the  procession  in  the  middle  of  the  street — 
up,  down,  forward  this  way,  back  that — until  tlie 
beautiful  girls  of  the  morning  were  fainting  from  fa- 
tiguCj  and  soiled  and  torn  from  the  unusual  and 
improper  places  through  which  they  were  led.  The 
cause,  and  the  time,  and  the  occasion  were  the  ex- 
cuse. Pride  at  carrying  through  what  once  had  been 
commenced  alone  kept  them  there,  save  the  necessity 
of  mutual  support.  And,  as  a  grand  finale,  the  pro- 
cession went  to  the  public  square,  where  a  mixed 
crowd  of  all  sorts  were  laughing,  gibing,  and  enjoy- 
ing the  license  of  such  a  time.  Here  James  found 
Alina,  and  firmly  taking  her  away  from  her  com- 
panions, from  Charles  Hardone  himself,  obeyed  her 
mother's  instructions  and  led  her  into  the  store. 
Nearly  exhausted,  sustained  by  nerve  power,  Alina 
was  hesitating  between  weariness  and  anger ;  for 
pride  rejected  the  right  to  dispose  of  her  thus. 
Nothing  in  the  way  or  manner  of  James  gave  ofi'ence 
— at  least  she  could  not  torture  such  a  meaning  into 
it  ;  yet  she  would  not  have  yielded  had  not  he  taken 
her  hand.  She  did  not  heed  him  in  the  least  until 
he  held  her,  and  then  cb-ew  her  to  the  support  of  his 
arm.  She  yielded,  too  tired  to  stand  alone.  The 
multitude  would  not  separate  from  respect,  nor  cull 
their^language,  nor  perfume  their  breath.  She  clung 
closer,  and  he  took  her  away. 

Excitement  I     The  politicians  had  wrought  upon 
the  popular  mind  until  a  river  of  excitement — what  ? 


86  COTTON   STEALING. 

— ^ran  through  the  land.  Every  heart  ivas  charged, 
and  a  telegram  was  sufficient  to  discharge  enthusiasm 
all  over  the  country ;  man,  woman  and  child — those 
having  any  claim  to  humanity — felt  its  power.  Why 
cannot  this  mystery  of  existence  be  solved  ?  Is  this 
identical  with  the  power  which  James  Manet  per- 
ceived as  Alina  Sandison  leaned  on  him !  Did  he 
wish  forever  ?  Not  at  the  moment  did  James  under- 
stand the  mysterious  emotion  ;  memory  and  study 
taught  the  deep  meaning.  From  that  time  he  knew 
himself  controlled  by  an  instinct — a  passion,  which 
read  the  different  changes  of  the  word  "Alina." 

A  regular  octave  of  pet  names  ;  Leena  the  second 
in  the  scale,  what  the  school  girls  caljed  her.  Aleen, 
the  long  call  with  the  rising  inflection,  when  mother 
sent  word  through  pantry,  bedroom,  parlor  and  shed, 
for  my  daughter.  Een,  the  abbreviation,  which  little 
baby  sister  made  musical.  Ina,  the  wilful  appelation 
of  a  fiery  mate,  who  would  not  do  as  did  the  others. 
Ena,  the  same  softened  as  her  sister  spirit,  so  the 
school  girls  called  themselves,  was  always  saying  in 
her  ear,  arms  twined  together  as  sister-spirits  do  to 
enhance  their  bliss  by  the  magic  of  the  touch.  One 
more,  the  chord  of  the  seventh,  Allie,  which  James 
called  her  that  night.     Alina  Sandison. 

Iler  father  was  reputed  wealthy.  So  he  is ;  now 
worth  no  one  can  tell  how  much.  Cotton.  Of  that 
by  and  by.  He  was  the  most  sagacious  politician  in 
that  part  of  the  state ;  invaluable  to  his  party  for 
profound  skill  in  defeating  a  majority.  Her  mother 
— it  is  wonderful  how  some  unimposing  men  win  ele- 


COTTON   STEALING.  87 

gant  wives  ! — unrested  at  dawn,  worked  wearily  until 
night,  sinking  to  rest  like  a  wet  bow-string  when 
nerve  tension  was  removed. 

Alina  Sandison.  Lina  and  Allie.  Charles  Ilar- 
dono  loved  Lina.  James  Manet  loved  Allie.  We 
call  her  now  Lina  ;  for  the  one  is.  Slie  may  be 
worthy  of  the  name  "  Allie  "  by  and  by — worthy  the 
love  which  James  Manet  threw  away ;  for  that  which 
he  loved  and  called  ''Allie"  was  possible,  but  had 
not  yet  dawned  upon  the  life  of  Lina  Sandison. 

Lina's  young  face  was  full  of  possibilities.  The 
forehead  white,  high  ;  so  nearly  square  in  front,  as  to 
demand  scrutiny  to  see  the  curve  ;  so  nearly  curved, 
as  to  obliterate  the  idea  of  any  angle  ;  the  eye-brow 
arched,  delicate  as  the  penciling  of  nature  upon  a 
flower.  Iler  eye  full,  with  plenty  of  room ;  straight 
forward  in  purpose ;  arch  on  occasion ;  gentle,  ex- 
cept when  aroused ;  but  when  quiet,  presenting  the 
slightest  shade  of  hungriness.  The  cheek  was 
dainty,  like  a  golden  apple  stained  with  crimson ; 
not  a  long  care,  or  hard  trouble,  had  deepened  a  line 
or  toughened  a  feature.  The  nose  was  delicate  and 
full,  which,  with  a  small  mouth  and  chin,  completed 
an  oval  of  beauty  which  belonged  to  Lina  Sandison 
— ^which  Jam.es  Manet  worshiped,  which  Charles  Har- 
done  believed  the  handsomest  in  the  world. 

Thus  far,  Lina's  life  has  been  simply  a  negative. 
IIow  long  will  this  continue  ?  The  heart,  once 
awake,  soon  finds  its  polarity.  Toward  which  will 
it  point,  James  Manet  or  Charles  Ilardone  ? 

Between  these  individuals  existed  a  peculiar  affec- 


88  COTTON  STEALING. 

tion.  Charles  liked  James  more,  perhaps,  because 
James  loved  him.  Few  young  men  are  found  who 
possess  the  versatility,  the  humor,  the  geniality  of 
Charles.  Certainly,  none  in  that  town,  dignified  in 
our  West  by  the  name  of  city,  with  its  mayor  and 
common  council.  The  long  evenings  were  short 
when  he  was  present ;  and  James  would  do  his  work 
and  give  him  evenings  that  might  have  been  private 
property  ;  would  engage  to  do  double  duty  to  release 
his  mate  from  the  store,  that  he  might  be  the  soul  of 
many  a  gathering,  of  many  a  sociable,  of  many  a 
committee  met  to  plan,  decorate,  or  prepare  for  vil- 
lage tableaus,  parties  and  church  festivals.  Charles 
was  the  favorite ;  could  talk,  while  James  could  only 
work  and  was  dumb.  The  dumb  can  think.  Such 
kindness  begets  a  return ;  all  the  return  possible — 
often  far  short  of  the  spirit  of  the  doer ;  still  the 
giver — it  may  be  well — accepts  the  return  as  pure 
gold,  and  treasures  dross  in  a  heart  where  sordid  rust 
gleams  with  glory. 

James,  in  the  stillness  of  his  thought,  watcliing  as 
one  whose  heart-life  is  at  stake,  had  been  slowly, 
painfully  deciding  himself  away  fron;  the  heart  of 
Lina.  She  was  kind  to  him,  teased  him,  seemed  to 
appreciate  his  attention ;  yet  the  something  that 
would  have  filled  him  with  happiness  never  came. 
There  were  times  when  a  thrill  would  startle  ;  but 
sober  thought  and  careful  observation  satisfied  him 
of  her  gi'eater  interest  in  Charles.  Why  shouldn't  a 
young  girl,  educated  at  school,  singing  in  the  choir, 
prefer  the  smart,  talented  young  man  who  sang  the 


89 

COTTON  STEALING. 

leading  part  by  her  side?     A  man  almost  a  poet: 
Sl/an  ap't  rbymster ;  the  life  of  every  ga  her- 
i,,.     Why  should  She  not  prefer  h.m  to  the  hard 
wo^rkiu--  «uvn  who  sat  speechless  m  a  corner?     Yet 
do  ihat  he  would,  reason  as  he  might,  James  loved 
her      Though  he  never  would  tell  her  a  word,  nev 
tould  permit  her  to  imagine  his  affection,  he  could 
not  help  loving,  and  was  not  sorry.     Every  true  and 
pure  auction  elevates  the  heart ;  nor  need  the  hum- 
blest   be  ashamed   of    the   spontaneous    out-gomgs 
toward  any  one  whose  beautiful  quaht.es  of  feature, 
mind  and  heart  excite  admiration  and  love. 

Of  all  this  Lina  Sandison  knew  no  more  than  tbe 
pleasant  realization  of  attention  which  flattered  her 
Llf-love.  The  girls  teazed  her  ;  but  no  more  ban  a 
dozen  others.  And,  when  she  was  mvited  to  the 
New  Year  party,  she  was  only  gratified  by  an  atten- 
tion others  did  not  receive ;  she  was  very  happy  be- 
cause she  was  the  only  one  invited  by  James,  and 
because  Charles  Hardone  was  there. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  soldier  of  the  Union,  on  his  bed  of  coin- 
leaves,  was  not  conscious  of  the  motive  which  led 
the  fair-faced  woman  to  smile  on  him  ;  to  bestow  care 
where,  perchance,  care  was  useless.  Not  so  ;  James 
Manet  had  tenacity  of  life.  Some  men  lay  down — 
cases  are  often  seen  in  hospital.  I  once  saw  five 
strong  Irishmen  die  in  a  row ;  before  the  surgeon  or 
nurse  anticipated  danger  they  were  dead.  Others 
came  in  pruned  like  a  tree  ;  cut  down,  %acked,  muti- 
lated ;  sick  with  fever  and  dysentery ;  at  death's 
door,  with  finger  on  the  latch,  and  yet  lived  on,  re- 
covered ;  aye,  went  out  and  fought  again :  not  only 
once,  but  .more.  They  seem  made  of  maleable  iron, 
and  needed  pounding  to  show  their  metal. 

In  such  a  case,  treatment  as  was  Leette's  was  in- 
vigorating ;  she  moved  the  corporal  to  her  mansion. 
Kesolvcd  to  jDlease  her  lover  by  winning  the  Yankee's 
love  and  trampling  on  his  affection,  she  put  him  in  a 
pleasant  room.  There  were  no  luxuries  of  a  sick 
chamber,  no  tempting  delicacies,  no  store  medicine, 
but  kindness,  attention,  and  the  semblance  of  love. 

A  woman  who  loves  carries  the  object  in  her  heart. 
When  some  work,  act,  or  path  has  been  designated 


91 

COTTON   STEALING. 


fo.  her  by  him,  strength  of  affection  is  manifested  by 

lovlZ;ri --"-'"^  0,.  La  Seheme,  or  Ken 
;;:   as  th;  heart-tongue  caUeJ-er  and  over    o  the 
heart-ear  a  thousand  times  a  day.     ine  oui 
d  Sved    because  the  perfect  representation  of  an 
inW    bought  .hich  bore  the  name   of   Kendal 
Thi      a   more  than  a  prisoner  had  a  ngbt  to  expect 

The  had  no  suspicion  of  evil  design,  as  he  saw 
::';■  la  e  and  supei  Jption-the  eagle,  stars  stamp 

1  fiire  of  Liberty-he  did  not  imagine  the  coin 
infS      A    truLnd  pure  afeeling  of  gratitude 

Tstturned  as  man  can  offer  to  any  kmd,  beautiful 

ToT;  time  their  intercourse  was  conilned,  on  her 

part,  to  a  "  Good  morning  "  ;  a  "  How  do  you  do  ^c. 

dav    "    "  Can  I  do  anything  for  you  to-day  ?        On 

t^  '         -V. ■    " Better "  ;   " Nothing "  ;    "I  thank 
his,   a  smile         -better     ,  b  ^^^ 

YOU."     Simple  words,      i  tlianK  jou.  j 

never  sounded  thus  before  to  Leette. 

When  very  young  his  mother  had  taught  him. 
"  ]Imes,  Idyl  thank  every  one  who  is  kind  to  you 
Nevrf  il  to  recognize  the  slightest  act  of  good-w^. 
?t      sts  nothing,  :nd  every  one  likes  to  be  appi.«a- 
.ed;    to  know  you  app-ate     W 
kindness  is  mistaken,   and  '^  ''eai  y 
recoc'nize  the  good  spirit,  and  thank  the  h.art  touts 
rod^wU  ••     James  loved  his  mother,  and,  from  that 
good-wU  ^,^^^^    ^p„„    h,3 

rCkpu-tvhieb'entered  the  heart  of  Leette, 


92  COTTON   STEALING. 

without  her  suspecting  Tvhat  for  a  neighbor  Kendal 
had  there. 

She  did  not  love  the  Yankee  corporal.  Love  be- 
gets love  ;  neither  loved  the  other.  Leette,  seeking 
to  win  love,  won  gratitude,  from  which  she  missed 
that  something  La  Scheme  had  won  from  her — which 
she  imagined  had  been  won  from  him.  The  true  and 
false  were  defining  themselves,  taught  bj  this  task, 
whereby  she  was  soon  to  discover  how  cheap  she  had 
sold  herself ;  to  know,  3'et  refuse  to  understand ;  to 
see,  yet  refuse  to  believe ;  to  be  taught  by  progress- 
ing events  how  unworthy  was  Kendal,  and  yet  to 
cling  on  his  memory  still  ;  to  discover  how  the 
prisoner,  who,  although  grateful,  would  not  love — 
had,  without  eflfort,  taken  captive  that  pure  respect, 
which,  without  passion,  is  the  only  basis  of  abiding 
love.  The  task  gradually  changed  to  a  pastime,  and 
Leette  carelessly  asked  : 

''  Where  are  you  from  ?  '* 

"The  West.'"' 

"  I  am  glad.  You  Western  men  are  our  friends. 
We  are  not  fighting  you.  We  hate  the  Eastern  abo- 
litionists. The  West  and  South  will  be  friends,  and 
our  country  be  the  same;  but  we  will  never  unite 
again  with  New  England,  No  wonder  you  are  brave. 
I  can  take  care  of  you  more  willingly,  now  I  know 
you  are  of  our  own  people." 

She  asks  no  more  questions.  He  speaks  no  more, 
conscious  that  the  Eastern  blood  is  yet  warm  in  his 
own  veins,  and  that  no  boundless  West  can  change 
the  heart  with  its  instinct  for  freedom,  wliich,  born  in 


COTTON   STEALING.  ^^ 

the  blood  is  bred  in  the  bone,  and  ^vill  live,  either 
among  the  rocks  of  the  hills  of  the  nutmeg  state  or 
the  aflu'vium  of  the  American  bottom. 

At  another  time,  Leettc,  piqued  at  his   quiet  si- 
lence, asks :  i        9  »> 

"What  are  you  thinking  about  i 

James  answers,  "  My  mother." 

Quickly  Leette  asks,  as  if  her  care  and  kindness 
were  called  in  question,   "Are  you  not   at  home. 

What  more  can  I  do  ?  "  tvt    i.- 

His  reply,  following  a  long  breath,  is,  -Nothing. 
I  am  a  prisoner  getting  ^H.  I  bave  not  heard  from 
home  since  my  brother's  death." 

He  becomes  silent.  She  waits  for  him  to  tell  more ; 
but  nothing  follows,  and  Leette,  believing  the  cause 
of  his  -rief  something  beyond  the  loss  of  a  brother, 
— belicTincr  the  time  for  confidence  ripe,  says : 

"  JamesVl  must  call  you  James,-I  think  you 
mean  more  than  mother." 

u  Yes  "  is  his  answer.     "  My  brother  s  wife  and 

child."  .       ,1    .    X 

She  waits  again  for  him  to  speak,  knowing  that  at- 
tention and  sympathy  ask  questions  more  to  the  point 
than  ignorant  words.     He  continues  : 

"  What  will  become  of  them  ?  " 

This  she  cannot  answer,  and  holds  her  tongue 
acrain.  What  does  she  care  ?  Nothing.  Nor  doea 
he  for  what  she  may  think.  His  thought  is  inward, 
as  his  next  words  show  : 

"  I  fear  lest  mother,  thinking  I  am  dead,  may  give 
up  hope.     It  may  be,  Lilly  Sue  will  wisTi  to  go.    She 

loved  us." 


94  COTTON   STEALING. 

Then  came  a  triumpliant  thought,  flashing  im- 
agined success  through  Leettc's  brain,  "  Here  is  the 
key  to  this  Yankee  heart.  Lilly  Sue.  Who  is  Lilly 
Sue?  "  and  she  asked  him. 

She  is  disappointed  to  liear  him  answer:  "  My 
sister,  dear  Lilly." 

Again,  seeking  the  heart,  to  which  as  yet  she  has 
no  clue.     She  inquires. 

*'For  whom  do  you  sigh  ?  I  am  jealous  of  sighs. 
They  do  not  o^me,  for  sisters  as  deep  as  that  one. 
There  is  anotlfer  one." 

"  No."  /ames  no  is  a  lipson  in  spelling  which  so 
poorly  represents  the  lesson  of  deceit^  that  Leette 
places  him  at  the  foot  of  the  class,  by  the  instantane- 
ous exclamation  : 

"  You  were  disappointed  in  love ;  you  know  you 
were,  and  enlisted  to  fight  us,  because  you  could  not 
conquer  yourself !  " 

"  No — lady — I  am  a  prisoner,  and  not  at  liberty 
to  discuss  these  questions.  I  buried  love  when  my 
country  was  in  danger.  I  volunteered  for  the  nation, 
the  whole  Union.  Could  you  see  as  I  do,  you  also 
would  agree  with  me.  I  thank  you  for  all  your  kind- 
ness. I  wish  these  cruel  differences  were  adjusted; 
we  ought  to  be  at  peace — but,  much  as  I  think  of 
you,  while  we  are  at  war  we  are  enemies." 

Changing  her  plan  on  the  instant,  she  said,  ^'  Is 
that  all  ?  Now  James,  I  am  going  to  bury  the 
hatchet  for  the  present.     I  am  a  rebel." 

"  And  I  a  good  Union  man." 

"  I  like  y(5u  the  better,  honest  Yank.     We  will 


COTTON   STEALING. 


95 


acrree  to  be  foes  by  and  by.     Now,  and  until  you  are 
able  to  figbt,  we  must  be  friends.    Give    me   your 

band." 

"  So  be  it  tben,"  and  James  gave  his  hand. 
Both  were  pleased.  She  in  finding  a  foe  worthy 
of  her  care,  he  in  freeing  his  mind  and  standing  in 
her  presence  a  friendly  foe.  This  was  that  anomaly, 
an  armistice,  which  neither  war  nor  peace  mingled  in 
friendly  grasp  hands  prepared  to  slaughter  the  other. 
In  such  proximity  love  can,  has  often  burst  its  bar- 
riers and  mingled  antagonisms  in  harmony. 

'^Now,  says  Leette,  holding  up  her  small  beautiful 
fore-fin<rer  and  throwing  a  world  of  playful,  coquet- 
ing  menace  into  its  prohibitory  action,  "  Remember, 
you  must  not  tell  me  again,  you  are  a  prisoner.  I 
set  you  free.  You  cannot  escape  till  you  are  well. 
Do  not  try.  I  give  you  permission  to  leave  me. 
Go  crawl  through  the  briar  patches;,  hobble  into  the 
cane-brake,  to  starve  and  feed  bears,  hogs  and  tur- 
key-buzzards. I  shall  not  seek  to  find  you.  Be 
contented  until  you  are  well,  then  I  promise  to  with- 
draw my  parole  and  make  you  a  prisoner  again." 

The  corporal  would  not  give  his  parole,  not  to 
escape.  Leette  put  it  upon  him,  as  no  gentleman 
could  refuse,  by  confidence  in  a  foe  whose  life  she 
was  preserving.  James  acknowledged  her  courtesy 
by  a  simple,  "I  thank  you,"  emphasized  by  the 
strongest  exclamation  point  of  a  great  soul— a  man's 
tear.     Leette  impulsively  exclaimed. 

''  I  like  you.  I  wish  you  were  not  a  Yank.  As 
you  are,  you  must  be— but  I  will  never  forgive,  if  at 


96  COTTON   STEALING. 

any  time  you  refuse  to  speak  true  thoughts,  true 
words  and  true  feelings.  Tell  me  what  you  think 
about  the  war.  I  wish  to  know  about  the  Northern 
people  that  I  may  be  enlightened  as  to  real  differ- 
ences between  us.  You  must  be  frank,  so  will  I,  and 
if  you  get  angry  it  will  not  be  my  fault ;  if  I  get 
angry  the  blame  shall  not  be  yours.  Is  it  a  bar- 
gain?" 

"Yes."  Then  with  his  answer  came  a  sudden  im- 
pulse. She  had  been  by  his  side,  a  bee  over  a  flower  ; 
the  bee  has  a  sting,  its  destiny  is  honey,  but  it  can 
poison.  Leette  did  not  sting  yet.  Her  hot  South- 
ern blood  fastened  a  live  kiss  on  his  face.  Her  lips 
had  no  sooner  made  and  taken  that  sensation,  than 
the  heart  telegraphed  modesty,  which  blushed  at  his 
look,  and  then  she  bounded  away. 

In  two  minutes  Leette  did  not  care.  This  mixture 
of  recklessness,  flashing  anger,  flashing  pride,  flashing 
love,  flashing  folly,  flashing  calmness,  disarmed  sus- 
picion but  had  a  subtle  instinct,  as  the  watching  cat 
perceives  the  approaching  victim,  before  eyes,  ears 
or  smellers  detect  its  presence. 

And  the  corporal  was  not  long  surprised,  for  he 
had  seen  since  the  war  began,  such  incongruities  of 
character — actions  so  contradictory  of  all  his  experi- 
ence of  the  possible,  that  nothing  of  any  nature  or 
character  so  ever  could  surprise  or  astonish  him.  He 
was  thrown  off  his  guard,  thus  giving  Leette  an  op- 
portunity to  gain  a  clue  to  the  incidents  of  the  next 
chapters. 


4 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Some  hearts  have  an  instinct  of  disappointment. 
The  sun  may  be  shining,  others  radiant,  jet  faint  ex- 
pectations of  calamity  impregnate  their  being. 

I  am  analyzing  James  as  he  seemed  to  me ;  for  he 
had  not  studied  his  nature  sufficient  to  take  a  joy, 
leaf  by  leaf,  and,  from  a  beautiful  rose,  make  a  gen- 
eral ruin  of  calix,  pistil,  stamen  and  corolla ;  nor  was 
it  possible  for  him  to  explain  the  iron  stubbornness 
that  garroted  his  throat,  burned  in  his  eyes  and  con- 
gested his  heart,  when,  day  after  day,  evening  mail 
and  nightly  discussion  excited  intensely  his  brain. 
One  fort  after  another  was  seized  by  the  rebels.  War 
is  coming.  Then  the  hope  entertained  by  every  one, 
particularly  by  his  father — yet,  somehow,  he  observed 
that  Mr.  Sandison  never  spoke  when  the  others  were 
confident — that  President  Lincoln  would  have  wis- 
dom to  enable  him  to  escape  that  which  seemed  so 
inevitable  ;  that  hope  would  throw  doubt  on  his  mind. 
Yet,  after  restless  thought  during  the  long  night, 
morning  would  find  him  with  a  tired  head,  an  un- 
rested  eye,  a  heavy  load  all  over,  and  then,  when 
7 


98     (j^V  COTTON    STEALING. 

Lina  Sandison  came  tripping  into  the  store  and 
lengthened  minutes  into  an  hour  talking  happily  with 
Charlie,  while  he  waited  on  all  the  customcrSj  and 
only  received  a  kind  "  Good  morning,"  the  shadows 
of  thought  sank  heavier,  and  he  said  to  himself, 
"  There  will  be  war.     Let  it  come.     I  shall  go." 

Charlie  Hardone  had  penetration  to  discover  the 
thoughts  of  James.  Perhaps  I  ought  not  to  use 
either  penetration  or  discover :  imagine  may  be  cor- 
rect ;  still  imagination,  if  true,  might  be  called  pene- 
tration. Charlie  wanted  the  time,  and  the  thought, 
and  the  smile,  and  love  to  himself,  of  not  Lina  alone, 
but  of  every  one  of  his  lady  friends.  His  ambition 
was  gratified,  he  was  perfectly  happy  when  the  cen- 
ter of  their  observation.  As  Lina  was  the  first  in 
social  position,  she  became  first  in  his  catalogue. 
Without  any  serious  thoughts  he  strove  to  win  her, 
and  parted  with  so  much  of  himself  as  was  neces- 
sary to  the  object.  Here  he  encountered  an  obsta- 
cle in  the  wishes  of  Lina's  mother,  who  chose  James 
to  care  for  Lina.  Why  ?  Because  she  knew  too 
much?  No.  James  himself  knew  nothing.  Had 
he  any  jealousy?  No;  but  he  would  watcli.  If 
Lina  had  a  fancy  for  James  it  would  be  strange  or 
he  would  find  a  way  to  put  a  stopper  on  that.  But 
did  Lina's  mother  have  any  design  in  the  distinction? 
This  became  a  study  which  at  length  received  answer 
in  the  negative.  She  evidently  had  no  suspicion  of 
him ;  but  trusted  James  as  the  oldest,  best  known 
and  safest.  While  engaged  in  this  investigation  the 
incident  of    celebration  night  occurred.     In  a  mo- 


COTTON   STEALING.  99 

inent — for  James,  by  gentle  but  quiet  determination, 
took  Lina  from  him — there  had  been  an  exhibition 
of  strength  of  purpose,  of  power,  which  surprised, 
and  angered,  and  aroused  the  evil  passion,  "  I  will 
pay  you  for  this."  Knowing  himself,  to  attribute  love 
to  James  was  the  first  impulse ;  to  suspect  Lina,  the 
second ;  to  vow  to  put  an  end  to  the  same,  and  in- 
gratiate himself,  and  labor  to  that  end,  the  next. 
Charles  Ilardone  was  a  natural  schemer ;  a  Yankee 
school  teacher  from  the  East,  who  came  to  the  West 
to  make  his  fortune ;  equally  ready  to  teach  music 
or  day  school,  or  take  the  charge  of  a  prayer  meet- 
ing. It  demands  no  little  skill  to  manage,  with  gen- 
eral approbation,  the  idiosyncrasies  of  evening  meet- 
in  o-,  and  the  whims  of  .a  district  where  the  teacher 
boards  around,  and  the  sensitiveness  of  a  singing 
school,  with  a  concert  at  the  end.  Before  he  was 
twenty  Charlie  had  done  all  this,  and  graduated  in  a 
political  campaign,  where  he  beat  Mr.  Sandison  in  a 
minor  election.  The  sharp  old  war-horse,  taking  the 
measure  of  his  antagonist,  drove  him  off  the  track 
by  hiring  him  when  out  of  employment.  Mr.  Sandi- 
son justly  estimated  his  clerks,  and  to  him  more  than 
his  wife  was  James  indebted  for  the  preference.  Mrs. 
Sandison  had  confidence  in  her  husband's  judgment 
of  men.     At  one  time  she  asked  : 

"  Shall  I  ask  Charles  or  James  to  look  after  her  ?  " 

^' James,"  was  the  decided  answer. 

"  But  Charles  is  a  church  member." 

"I  know,"  said  he,  "  Charles  has  experienced  re- 
ligion like  a  steam-epgine ;  dashed  through  the  long 


100  COTTOX    STEALING. 

bridge  and  come  out  safe  on  the  other  side.  He  is 
a  Hard-one.  James  has  made  no  professions ;  but  he 
has  an  iron  will,  which  has  accepted  a  Saviour  from 
a  consciousness  of  personal  need,  and  I  would  trust 
him  with  my  soul  sooner  than  any  minister  I  ever 
saw." 

Time  went  on.  Charles  did  his  utmost  to  attract 
Lina.  Gradually  he  assumed  as  a  right,  the  privi- 
lege granted  James,  who  retired  because  Charlie  was 
always  before  him,  and,  some  how,  Lina  seemed 
pleased.  James  inherited  from  his  father  a  sensitiv- 
ness  which  his  mother  refined — a  retiring  demeanor, 
never  put  self  forward  unless  in  the  path  of  duty. 
His  love  was  timid — magnifying  its  object,  and  un- 
derrating himself.  He  determined  to  make  one  trial 
to  present  to  Lina  the  opportunity  of  choice,  and,  in 
case  of  failure,  abandon  the  hope  of  her  love.  He 
knew  when  Charlie  would  go  to  ask  her  company  to 
an  evening  gathering.  He  would  meet  him  there 
and  invite  her  himself.  Should  she  choose  Charlie, 
he  would  accept  her  decision  as  final. 

These  thoughts  had  worked  in  James'  face  ;  such 
always  do.  His  mother  alone  observed  them,  and 
that  evening  she  asked  his  confidence  by  a  look  that 
was  answered  thus : 

''  I  am  going  to  call  on  Allie  to-night.  Charlie 
will  be  there,  and  I  will  know  which  she  likes  best." 

Mother  recognized  the  secret,  the  confession,  the 
hope,  the  fear,  and  foresaw  the  end.  She  could  not 
speak.  To  the  sad  shadow  of  dread  another  fear 
was  added. 


COTTON    STEALING.  101 

Charlie  was  already  tliere.  Cordial  greetings 
were  given,  while  he  retained  his  position  at  the 
piano  where  he  had  been  singing  several  songs. 
James  took  a  seat  by  Lina,  at  her  invitation,  and 
this  gave  him  a  hope  of  joy,  observed  by  the  watch- 
ful pianist,  who  now  felt  sure  of  wounding  and  pay- 
ing for  the  unforgotten.  He  believed  he  had  power, 
will  power,  and  was  determined  to  use  it  against  his 
friend,  although  he  little  thought  of  the  extent  of 
the  injury.  What  did  he  care  ?  Without  seeming 
to  watch,  he  permitted  no  movement  to  escape,  and 
while  singing,  comprehended  every  word  spoken. 
James  waited  until  he  was  through,  and  then  said : 

"  Miss  AUie,  I  came  to  invite  you  to  attend  the 
meeting  this  evening  ;  but,  Charlie,  perhaps  you 
have  her  engaged  already  ?  " 

"No,"  was  his  reply,  and  then  he  said,  "Oh, 
Lina,  I  have  never  sung  you  my  new  song.  Come, 
I  composed  it  for  you." 

"  When  the  sun  brings  with  the  spring 

Flowers  bright,  tiowers  gay, 
Gentle  birds  on  blitlisome  wing 

Welcome  each  new  day. 
Every  bush  and  every  tree, 

Every  leaf  arf^lbwer, 
Has  a  voice  of  naplody 

Full  of  wondrous  power : 
Singing  music  of  its  own — 

Love's  sweet  tone,  love  alone — 
Proving  that,  though  tune  roll  by, 

Love  can  never  die. 


102  COTTON  STEALINa. 

When  the  last  rays  of  the  sun, 

Fairy  soft,  fairy  bright, 
Basses  darkness  with  its  own 

Twinkling,  twittering  light, 
Every  breeze  and  every  star, 

Every  murmuring  rill, 
Purling  through  the  evening  air, 

Has  an  angel  trill  : 
Singing  music  of  its  own — 

Love's  sweet  tone,  love  alone — 
Proving  that,  though  time  roll  by, 

Love  can  never  die 

Youth's  bright  sun  brings  with  life's  mom 

Love's  bright  flowers,  love's  bright  flowers, 
And  my  star  of  hope  is  born, 

Shining  for  thy  bowers ; 
Every  thought  and  every  dream, 

Of  my  life  a  part, 
Flows  in  one  pure  crystal  stream 

Toward  thy  gentle  heart : 
Singing  music  of  its  own — 

Love's  sweet  tone,  love  alone — 
Proving  that,  though  time  roll  by, 

Love  can  never  die.'' 


He  threw  a  whole  storm  of  passion  into  his  voice 
and  the  fervor  of  love  into  his  words,  while  from  his 
eyes  as  fixed  on  her  a  sparkling  will  danced  out,  con- 
quering by  magnetic  power.  Then  without  waiting 
for  an  answer  to  James,  speaking  as  if  the  question 
had  not  been  asked,  he  said  : 

"  I  came  for  you  to  go  with  me,  and  you  will  go, 
wont  you  ?" 

She  looked  at  James  an  instant  and  answered, 
"Yes."     The  next  moment  she  would  have  recalled 


COTTON    STEALING.  103 

the  word,  for  a  look  came  on  James'  face  -which  can- 
not be  forgotten.  Charlie  marked  it  and  was  glad. 
"  I  have  hit  you  now,"  was  liis  secret  thought.  James 
stood  for  a  moment.     She  tried  to  redeem  and  a.'^ked, 

^'  You  will  go  with  us  ?" 

"No." 

There  was  something  intense  in  his  quiet.  No 
word  could  reply  and  no  conversation  supply  the 
vacuum — triumph  for  Charles,  but  regret  on  Lina's 
part,  destiny  for  James.  He  held  his  ground  gently, 
firmly,  while  she  put  on  her  things  and  went  with 
them  out.  To  her  invitation  call  again,  replied,  "  I 
thank  you,"  so  that  she  knew  it  was  a  kind  "  No  " — 
like  the  everlasting  hills.  And  he  said  as  they 
parted,  ''  Good  bye,  Aliie." 

Charlie  strove  to  divert  Lina's  mind,  to  overcome 
the  strong  regret  that  James  had  been  only  second, 
that  he  should  feel  so  badly.  She  was  not  to  blame. 
But  there  remained  the  memory,  the  vacuum,  not  im- 
proved by  the  painful  expression  returned  her  in  a 
smile  by  James'  mother.  Did  it  mean  that  she  knew  ? 
This  and  more  came  up  for  thought.  Charlie  found 
his  companion  absent  although  striving  to  be  polite. 

Lina  had  the  first  blow  that  taught  she  was  no 
longer  a  girl.  That  night  came  long  thoughts.  She 
studied  the  meaning  of  James'  unusual  conduct,  his 
look,  and  his  mother's  sad  smile.  She  imagined  the 
possibility  of  its  true  meaning.  Then  compared  the 
two — was  not  sure  she  preferred  either,  certainly 
loved  neither — asked  herself  if  she  was  ready  to  love 
any  one.      Answered,  no.     Felt  glad   she   had  not 


104  COTTON   STEALING. 

made  Charlie  unhappy,  was  sorry  the  thing  ever  oc- 
curred. Blamed  fate  for  the  misfortune,  and  at  last 
slept  and  dreamed  that  slie  was  married  to  Charles 
Hardone  and  that  at  the  wedding  was  kissed  by 
James,  who  threw  his  arms  around  her  neck.  Then 
somehow,  she  seemed  to  see  him  with  a  gaping 
wound  in  his  breast  lying  on  the  ground  and  lier 
white  bridal  robes  were  clotted  with  <xore. 

James  Manet  possessed  a  heroic  purpose  and  will, 
only  one  among  ten  times  ten  thousand.  Thousands 
of  patriots  went  into  eternity  on  the  battle-field  and 
thousands  died  in  the  hospital  who  will  never  have  a 
historian  or  a  monument.  I  could  weep  tears  of 
blood  would  they  avail  as  I  recall  these  unknown 
soldiers  without  friends,  without  home,  without  love, 
for  whom  no  single  tear  was  shed,  who  so  loved  free- 
dom and  their  free  country  that  they  spilt  their 
every  drop  of  blood  for  it.  I  see  now  the  long  rows 
of  hospital  cots  in  the  long  cabin  of  a  Mississippi 
river  palace,  wounded  men  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
unwashed,  uncared  for,  untended  during  seven  long 
days,  hungry  and  thirsty,  waiting  for  their  time  to 
have  their  wounds  dressed  or  their  limbs  taken  off, 
without  a  word  of  complaint,  and  enduring  their 
agony  without  a  groan  or  a  contorted  muscle.  James 
Manet  did  not  blame  Lina.  Such  was  the  low  esti- 
mate he  placed  on  himself  as  compared  with  Charlie, 
that  he  wondered  how  he  could  for  a  moment  be  such 
a  fool.  He  was  ignorant  of  the  mighty  infinity 
called  soul,  which  God  had  given  him.  How  many 
soldiers  in  this  war  have  manifested  heroism,  nobility 


COTTON   STEALING.  105 

for  which  no  father,  mother  or  friend  gave  them 
credit  I  which  woiiM  have  remained  unknown,  un- 
dreamt of,  had  not  this  opportunity  been  presented 
for  development.  Their  souls  are  wide  awake  and 
immensely  active  in  the  boundless  realms  of  paradise. 
There  is  a  blessing  in  a  curse,  when  by  it  we  are 
taught  to  prize  the  quiet  spirit  near  us,  which  holds 
the  germ  of  honor,  renown  and  immortality.  James 
was  ignorant,  uneducated,  and  knew  not  the  power 
hurrying  him  on. 

That  night  in  place  of  going  to  the  church,  he 
joined  a  knot  of  young  men,  who  were  talking  over 
the  possibilities  of  war  on  the  corner  opposite  the 
hotel  and  by  the  store.  A  large  number  of  dry 
goods  boxes  were  piled  up,  on  which  they  found  seats. 
Among  the  number  was  a  tall,  sandy-haired,  light- 
complexioned  young  man,  with  fiery  eye,  born  in  old 
Connecticut,  havinsr  the  descended  blood  of  a  fio^htinor 
race,  brought  over  from  the  cavaliers  of  Cromwell. 
A  proud,  haughty  soul,  a  noble,  generous  spirit, 
hidden  under  the  apron,  tough  fists  and  sinewy  arms 
of  a  wheelwright.  To-night  he  was  clad  in  broad- 
cloth ;  straight  as  an  arrow,  strong  as  an  oak,  proud 
as  a  knight,  he  seemed  invincible.  War  was  not 
new  to  him.  A  boy  he  belonged  to  the  Governor's 
guards.  Hampered  by  the  control  of  an  iron  uncle 
guardian,  he  ran  away  and  enlisted  in  the  regular 
army,  where  he  saw  service,  and  when  Buford's  men 
attempted  to  drive  the  *free  settlers  from  Kansas, 
without  being  an  abolitionist,  he  shouldered  his 
Sharps'  Rifle  and  joined  Jim  Lane  for  the  fun  of  the 
thing. 


106  COTTON   STEALING. 

"I  tell  jou  boys  what  I  will  do.  T'  war  come  , 
and  I  know  it  will,'  I  will  get  up  a  company  and  join 
the  first  regiment  that  goes.  Those  Southern  men 
cannot  whip  us.  I  have  fought  them.  They  say 
one  Southern  man  can  whip  five  Northern  men.  It 
is  a  lie  !  I  remember  the  first  fight  Jim  Lane  had. 
There  were  only  a  few  of  us  Northerners,  mostly  men 
from  Massachusetts,  and  nearly  a  hundred  of  them. 
We  were  in  a  bad  fix,  between  two  high  banks  in  a 
kind  of  gulch.  Perhaps  we  might  have  got  away,  it 
was  a  chance,  but  we  had  come  to  fight  and  could  no 
more  than  die.  They  were  all  mounted  and  rode 
down  on  us,  yelling.  We  kneeled  down  in  the  first 
rank  and  stood  in  the  second ;  as  soon  as  they  were 
in  good  distance  we  let  them  have  it — and  then 
loaded  and  fired  as  fast  as  we  could,  expecting  to  be 
rode  down  every  moment.  They  did  not  come. 
When  we  ceased  firing  and  the  smoke  cleared  up, 
there  wasn't  a  Border  Ruffian  to  be  seen,  and  only  a 
cloud  of  dust  to  show  where  they  had  gone.  I  tell 
you  we  can  whip  them  in  every  fair  fight.  But  they 
wont  fight  fair.  Now  I  have  forty  names  ple'lged  to 
go  with  me  from  the  country  where  I  live,  and  I  think 
I  can  easily  get  enough  for  a  full  company.  It  only 
takes  ninety-six.  Don't  you  think  I  could,  James  ?" 
"  Yes,"  was  the  answer,  "  I  will  go  for  one." 
Then,  when  Lina  and  Charlie  were  enjoying  their 
own  thoughts,  this  group  was  preparing  for  war. 
An  instinct  seems  to  control  humanity  anticipating 
the  events  of  the  future,  and  the  may  he  and  will  he 
never  find  the  world  totally  unprepared. 


COTTON   STEALING.  107 

Events  continued  to  hurry  on.  Arsenal  and  fort 
were  seized.  Every  mail  brought  some  new  account 
of  hostility  until  South  Carolina  became  the  center  of 
the  United  States,  and  one  little  band  of  lieroes  the 
embodiment  of  nationality.  Hour  by  hour  the  nation 
quivered  in  its  million  million  heart-strings,  while 
hostile  cannon  frowned  on  starving  patriots  calmly 
waiting  for  fate.  Moment  on  moment  of  suspense, 
increased  to  almost  agony,  until  the  news  came  of 
the  first  gun  on  Fort  Sumpter.  Then  excitment 
became  will,  the  land  sprang  to  arms,  and  patriotism 
reigned  supreme. 


CHAPTER  X. 

"  Why  are  you  a  mere  private,  James  ?  " 

Leete's  prisoner  has  been  improving  in  strength, 
though  not  yet  strong.  He  talks  more  than  he  did ; 
still  she  is  the  questioner,  seeking  a  little  to-day,  and 
to-morrow  following  up  the  clue.  He  answers  the 
question  thus  : 

"  My  first  captain  was  killed  by  the  time-serving 
of  a  political  governor.  I  had  an  ofi"er  of  office ;  but 
would  not  demean  myself  by  doing  any  act  which 
politicians  would  reward  by  a  commission ;  not  even 
to  be  in  debt  for  its  gift.  A  debt  of  gratitude  to  be 
paid  in  kind,  I  regard  as  an  antecedent  sale  of  soul, 
of  which  I  never  would  be  guilty.  I  have  one  life 
to  give  to  my  country.  I  knew  nothing  of  "war,  and 
refused  to  assume  responsibility  as  an  officer  over 
the  lives  of  others  when  I  was  ignorant  of  the  duties 
of  a  private." 

"  How  was  your  captain  killed  ?  " 

Leette  wanted  to  ask  a  dozen  questions,  but  this 
was  the  prominent  thought  to  keep  before  his  mind. 
The  ideas  she  obtained  from  his  answer  were :  he 
had  a  first  captain,  who  was  killed  by  a  governor ; 


COTTON   STEALING.  109 

therefore,  he  has  been  injured,  and  this  is  the  open- 
ing to  make  a  traitor.     James  answered  : 

"He  was  not  killed,  only  drowned;  but  the  act 
was  the  direct  result  of  the  governor's  perfidj.  Had 
Captain  Esraons  never  been  compelled  to  visit  the 
capital  to  watch  the  progress  of  events,  and  to  try 
to  make  the  governor  fulfil  his  promise,  he  never 
woulil  have  been  on  board  the  steamboat  from  which 
he  fell  and  was  lost.  I  do  not  like  to  talk  of  these 
things.  It  covers  a  sad  past,  on  which  I  do  not  often 
look." 

For  that  very  reason  Leette  would  make  him  gaze 
longer, — as  long  as  her  m«itive  was  concealed,  and 
she  could  torture  without  suspicion.  She  continued 
by  replying  to  his  first  question : 

•'What*  a  poor  opinion  you  have  of  yourself! 
Hundreds  of  officers  are  not  so  well  quahfied,  nor 
ever  will  be.  In  the  Confederacy  talent  like  yours 
would  ever  secure  preferment,  and  be  recognized  and 
acknowledged  by  our  government." 

"  I  love  my  country  too  well  to  permit  my  patriot- 
ism to  be  diminished  one  atom  by  the  evil  acts  of  my 
fellow  citizens.  This  rebellion  has  called  me  to 
jeopardize  my  life  for  the  Union.  How  much  rather 
should  I  endure  the  unnecessary  indignity  and  posi- 
tive wrong-doing  of  those  who  profess  to  be  my 
friends  at  home  !  " 

To  explain  more  fully  than  Leette  could  possibly 
draw  from  the  soldier,  watchful  even. of  the  reputa- 
tion of  his  native  state,  we  go  again  to  the  first  call 
for  seventy-five  thousand  six-month's  men.     In  our 


110  COTTON    STEALING. 

city  no  one  asked  "  Who  will  go  ?  "  Men  came  spon- 
taneously and  enroled  on  Captain  Esmons'  muster- 
roll.  It  was  drafted  by  Mr.  Sandison,  with  a  copy 
of  the  State  Militia  Laws  before  him.  It  was  signed 
by  the  captain,  and  James  placed  his  name  next. 

In  that  day  of  uncertainty  great  doubt  hung  over 
leading  politicians.  All  patriotic  men  determined  to 
sustain  the  President.  But  some  of  the  democratic 
leaders  in  our  city  hesitated,  influenced  by  party 
spirit  to  antagonism,  manifested  by  a  questioning, 
carping,  uncertain,  disbelieving,  doubting  manner. 
Their  patriotism  drove  them  to  loosen  all  party  lines 
and  distinctions,  and  fight  for  the  Union,  one  and 
inseparable,  but  they  were  not  sure  of  the  best  in- 
terests of  the  party.  There  had  been  no  concerted 
plan  or  action.  The  first  gun  fired  at  Surapter  shot 
the  Northern  heart  unprepared.  Patriotism,  pure 
and  unadulterated,  ruled  the  moment.  Politicians 
were  not.  The  great,  true  heart  of  the  people  res- 
ponded. Before  twenty-four  hours  Capt.  Esmons' 
company  was  full.  He  had  been  East,  passed 
through  the  capital  on  his  return,  and  brought  word 
that  the  governor  ordered  individuals  who  recruited 
companies  to  take  them  into  barracks  until  they 
could  be  assigned  to  regiments  ;  that  he  would  grant 
commissions  as  soon  as  muster-rolls  were  presented 
aii  the  State  Adjutant  General's  office. 

Immediately  the  people,  with  one  consent,  brought 
contributions.  Every  man's  heart  was  full,  every 
hand  open ;  without  discussion,  taxation,  or  solicita- 
tion,   the  volunteers  were   fed.     An  old  warehouse 


COTTON    STEALING. 


Ill 


was  filled  with  the  stout,  stalwart,  sons  of  the  coun- 
try and  forest.  The  drums  beat.  Men,  who  had 
been  free  as  the  wilderness  of  the  West,  surrendered 
to  the  idea  of  a  soldier,  and  willingly  confined  them- 
selves to  the  second  and  third  story,  where,  hour 
after  hour  of  day  and  evening,  the  tramp  of  squads, 
drilling  without  musket  or  bayonet,  answered  to 
"  Front  face,"  ^' About  face,"  "Eyes  right,"  "  One, 
two;  one,  two,"  "Into  two  ranks  form  company," 
etc.,  etc. 

One  housewife  loaned  her  unused  cooking-stove ; 
another,  her  great  coffee-pot.     The  hotel  sent  down 
its  spare  spoons  and  knives  ;  a  dozen  families  con- 
tributed crockery ;  private  teams  left  their  work  and 
went  to  the  distant  farms  to  bring  straw  for  the  sol- 
diers'  beds,  while   a  patriotic   committee  of  ladies 
gathered  spreads,  blankets  and  quilts  to  provide  the 
men  for  the  night.     As  soon  as  the  barracks  were 
once  opened,  every  man  left  his  home  and  joined  the 
company,   yielding  implicit  obedience  to   every  re- 
quirement of  the  new  relation,  returning  no  more  at 
morning  or  evening.     Even  mother  and  sister  were 
refused  entrance   to  the  dearest  of  all  the  earth, — 
that   brother   who   loved   country  better  than   life. 
Son  and   mother   acquiesced  because   there  was   at 
stake  the  hfe  of  the  nation,  to  which  individual  life 
—a  hecatomb  of  lives— are  less  than  the  thousandth 
part  of  a  drop  to  the  whole  great  chain   of  lakes, 
only  one  of  which,  with  its  sunset-horizon  of  water, 
expanded  north,  west,  and  south  of  them  farther  than 
the  clearest  sight  can  reach. 


112  COTTON  STEALING. 

Captain  Esmons  was  the  last  of  his  name  and  race. 
A  small  patrimony  in  ready  money  was  at  his  dispo- 
sal, and  this  he  laid  on  the  altar  of  the  cause.  Was 
printing  to  be  done,  he  paid  ;  was  any  individual  of 
the  class  alluded  to,  unwilling  to  give  the  article  which 
some  of  the  boys  had  procured  at  his  store,  he  paid. 
He  bore  his  own  expenses  to  the  state  capital,  met  the 
adjutant  general,  was  welcomed  by  the  governor,  and 
assigned  to  the  second  regiment.  Quick  as  had  been 
our  movements,  others  had  been  equally  patriotic, 
and  now  not  only  ^as  one  regiment  full,  but  it  was 
certain  that  the  state  would  answer  the  call  for  men. 
It  could  be  relied  on  to  do  its  whole  duty.  The  gov- 
ernor said  : 

"  Captain,  go  back  and  drill  your  men.  Tell  your 
people,  tell  Mr.  Sandison  to  keep  your  company  in 
barracks,  and  before  a  week  we  will  assign  them  to 
the  headquarters  of  their  regiment." 

At  that  time  there  existed  a  fear  lest  the  people 
would  not  come  up  to  the  crisis — feel  the  responsi- 
bility, and  assume  the  burden  of  the  hour.  Before 
the  world  never  had  a  similar  problem  appeared. 
The  United  States,  through  a  period  of  unexampled 
prosperity,  had  cultivated  the  arts*  of  peace, — its  dis- 
cordant and  inharmonious  elements  had  cohered ;  but 
now  that  a  large  minority  refused  to  accept  the  will 
of  the  majority, — particularly  when  tliat  minority 
had  a  strong  prima  facie  right  to  be  independent, 
more  particularly  when  a  great  portion  of  the  popu- 
lation of  the  non-seceding  states  sympathized  with 
the  South,  admitted  the  right  which  had  been  exer- 


COTTON    STEALING. 


113 


cised,  or  were  in  doubt  of  the  coercive  right,  oi',  if 
right,  the  ability  to  coerce,  or,  if  right  and  able,  the 
advisability,  the  expediency  of  its  exercise,— tiie 
leaders  of  all  parties  were  so  astounded  that  they 
stood  still ;  waited  to  see  wMther  events  turned,— 
the  nation  took  control,  and  was  equal  to  the  hour. 

Looking  back  on  that  time,  I  believe  in  the  remark 
of  a  steamboat  captain,— a  strong,  plain  man,  who 
neither  minced  his  meat  or  his  words,—"  Why  don't 
the  president  call  for  three  hundred  thousand  volun- 
teers at  once,  and  crush  the  rebels  ?     We  can  raise 
half    a   million   as    easily   as  seventy-five   thousand 
men."     Yet  this  was  not  to  be.     The  president  was 
not  in  advance  of  the  people  of  the  United  States ; 
all  were  learners,  and  to-day  are  teaching  the  world 
a   lesson    in   which    themselves    are   taught,    being 
scholars   at   the   expense  of    the    dearest  the  heart 
loves,  the  most  precious  blood  the  heart  contains,  at 
the  expense  of  life.     Let  me  write  with  humihty  : 
at    the    expense   to    many — alas!    how   many  I — of 
eternal  life  itself.     Until  that  lesson  is  learned  there 
will  be  no  sure,  no  lasting,  valuable  peace.     When 
God  strikes,  man  is  a  fool  to  anticipate  freedom  from 
pain.     Nature,  offended,  never  forgives,   and  if,   in 
the  course  of  the  Creator's  government,  war  and  ca- 
lamity fall  on   a  people,   permanent,  abiding  peace 
will  not   return  until  his  plans  and  purposes  are  ac- 
complished. 

Had  James  Buchanan  hung  Jefferson  Davis,  Floyd, 
Beauregard,  Wise,   Mason,   Yancy,   and   a  score  of 
others  as  traitors,  the  curse  of  slavery  would  be  as 
8 


114  COTTON  STEALING. 

deejk  to-day  on  <a  preserved  country  as  ever :  the 
question  of  slavery  extinction  deferred  indefinitely, 
and  only  one  step  gained,  if  indeed  anything  had 
been  accomplished  at  all,  and  that  merely  the  build- 
ins:  of  an  imafifinary  wall  to  hinder  its  advance  into 
new  territory. 

But  laying  slavery  for  the  moment  entirely  on  one 
side,  a  most  important  lesson  to  be  taught,  to  be 
learned  is  the  imperative  necessity  of  purity  among 
those  who  govern  the  nation.  A  mere  politician  in- 
fluenced by  no  higher  principles  than  party,  is  cor- 
rupt as  the  father  of  evil,  dishonest  as  that  father, 
and  as  worthy  a  place  in  the  lake  of  fire  and  brim- 
stone. Note,  that  there  may  be  exceptions ;  turpi- 
tude is  graded  by  distinctive  lines,  and  while  one  man 
for  his  share  of  punishment  should  be  condemned  to 
sit  forever  on  a  lukewarm  flat-iron,  there  are  those 
who  deserve  to  be  confined  time  without  end  in  a  blast 
furnace  of  melted  sulphurate  of  iron. 

No  sooner  than  the  call  came  for  volunteers,  no 
sooner  than  the  companies  came  pouring  in  to  an- 
swer that  call  than  opportunities  for  fortune  pre- 
sented themselves  : — the  common  profits  of  ordinary 
business  on  the  a>mount  of  clothing,  camp  equipage, 
&c.,  required  to  outfit  a  regiment  being  equal  to  the 
life  savings  of  an  ordinary  man.  The  State  patron- 
age was  in  the  custody  of  the  €rovernor  and  the 
Adjutant  General's  ofiice.  Immediately  the  old  Avar- 
horses  smelt  the  contracts  afar  ofl"  and  advanced  their 
claims,  based  on  past  personal  services,  or  on  pled- 
ges of  future  support ;   bargains  by  which   present 


COTTON    STEALING.  115 

favors  are  granted  in  consideration  of  a  future  possi- 
ble contingency.  This  is  partially  illustrated  in  the 
fortune  of  James  Manet  while  connected  with  Capt. 
Esmon's  company. 

The  Captain  returned  in  great  spirits,  told  his  men 
he  had  orders  to  stay  in  barracks  for  a  week,  then 
they  were  to  go  to  Shawnee  town  to  camp  with  the 
Second  Regiment  which  had  already  eight  companies 
and  the  promise  of  two  more.  The  people  heard  with 
joy,  made  new  contributions,  sent  wheat  to  the  mill, 
where  the  miller  exchanged  it  for  flour:  this  was 
taken  by  the  baker  who  every  morning  supplied  the 
company  with  bread.  The  ladies  gave  pies  and  pud- 
dings, the  butcher  contributed  meat,  and  hams  came 
from  every  store  and  every  smoke  house  in  the 
vicinity. 

But  a  week  dragged  into  two,  and  no  orders  for 
marching  came.  Then  Capt.  Esmons  went  again  to 
the  capital. 

The  Adjutant  General  informed  him  that  the  Second 
Regiment  was  full  and  his  company  had  been  trans- 
ferred to  the  Fourth  which  would  rendezvous  at  another 
city  in  a  different  part  of  the  state  in  two  weeks. 
He  was  sorry  for  his  disappointment  but  it  was  the 
Governor's  orders.  All  the  Captain  could  do  was  to 
return,  tell  the  people  to  support  the  company  in 
barracks  at  their  own  expense  for  two  weeks  longer. 
The  patriotic  enthusiasm  of  the  people  of  the  state 
was  so  great  that  companies  sufficient  to  fill  twenty 
regiments  had  been  offered,  the  state  quota  did  not 
amount       the  half.     As  soon  as  this  became  under- 


116  COTTOX  STEALING. 

Stood,  politicians,  small  men  of  town  caucuses,  peti- 
fogers  of  justices'  courts  ambitious  for  a  title,  began 
to  wire-work  the  Governor,  learned  that  Capt. 
Esmon  was  entitled  to  no  political  courtesy,  and 
insisted  on  the  transfer  of  his  company  which  they 
accomplished,  for  he  had  no  friends  to  notify  him  of 
danger,  and  even  Mr.  Sandison  had  only  written  a 
common  letter  of  recommendation. 

Remember,  tJiat  this  was  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion,  before  there  had  been  any  Bull  Run,  or 
'•all  quiet  on  the  Potomac,"  when  motives  untried 
were  mere  patriotic  impulses  or  instincts,  the  germ 
of  then  future,  of  present  massive  gigantic  princi- 
ples. 

Capt.  Esmon  returned  home  disappointed  and  told 
his  story.  Immediately  intense  indignation  filled  the 
people  furnishing  an  opportunity  too  good  to  be 
thrown  away  by  the  opposition.  The  friends  of  the 
Governor  were  becoming  his  bitter  foes.  The  volun- 
teers felt  that  the  supreme  authority  of  the  state  had 
trifled  with  them.  They  asked  only  their  rights. 
Why  had  subsequent  organizations  in  other  parts  of 
the  state  been  preferred  when  they  had  the  printed 
orders  of  the  Adjutant  General's  office  assigning 
them  to  their  position  ? 

Capt.  Esmon  would  not  permit  the  bad  faith  of  a 
political  Governor  to  influence  his  patriotism,  but 
resolved  to  move  his  company  to  another  town  whose 
sons  were  his  soldiers,  which  had  not  yet  had  the 
privilege  of  feeling  personally  identified  in  the  good 
cause,  as  a  Turk  who  eats  salt  with  a  stranger.     He 


COTTON    STEALING.  117 

believed  himself  safe  for  the  future  because  he  harl 
paid  men  at  headquarters  to  advise  him  of  any 
proposed  changes,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  get  on  the 
ground  in  advance,  and  plead  his  own  cause.  He 
had  also  been  assured  by  the  Adjutant  General  him- 
self that  no  other  changes  would  be  permitted. 

Lina  Sandisou  had  not  spoken  to  James  since 
Sumpter,  events  had  followed  in  too  quick  succession. 
When  she  w^ent  to  the  store,  he  had  gone, — nothing 
was  powerful  to  detain  men  in  that  hour.  My  coun- 
try calls,  store,  farm,  contract  must  wait.  "  Let  the 
dead  bury  their  dead."  She  asked  Charlie  to  go  to 
the  l^arracks  with  her,  but  now  work  demonstrated 
what  James  had  done.  Disposition  was  ready.  It 
made  him  mad.  Selfish  men  when  angry  because 
forced  to  sacrifice  self  or  neglect  duty,  vent  the  pas- 
sion on  some  innocent  object.  '  James  had  no  business 
to  enlist  and  leave  him  the  work.  James  was  a  fool, 
and  Lina  what  did  she  want  of  a  fool.'  He  promised 
to  go  Avitli  her  at  evening,  choosing  the  hour  of  drill. 
At  that  time  Lina  was  again  at  the  store  waiting, 
and  this  quiet  waiting  vexed  Charles,  but  he  was  too 
wise  to  manifest  the  annoyance.  The  truly .  noble 
woman  which  lay  hidden  in  Alina  Sandison's  char- 
acter, the  possible  which  the  lofty  undeveloped  soul 
of  Jarnes  had  seen  indistinctly  in  her  beautiful  face, 
which  he  loved  as  god-like  manliness  alone  can  wor- 
ship, that  new  born  life  struggling  with  the  babj- 
hood  of  girl  thoughts,  recognized  the  value  of  the  old 
playmate,  who  never  unkind,  had  been  neglected  for 
a  late  acquaintance.     She  had  wounded  the  feelings 


118  COTTON  STEALING. 

of  one  who  now  was  giving  his  life  for  his  country. 
The  next  time  of  her  visit  James  was  cooking,  too 
busy  for  conversation.  Once  she  had  an  opportunity, 
fancy  seemed  to  tell  her  that  James  was  anxious  to 
speak  also,  she  found  no  words  and  Charlie  came — 
immediately  James  hurried  away.  Once  more  she 
tried,  going  to  his  yiother's,  joining  Jennie  and  Sue, 
but  some  new  order  had  been  issued  and  James  sent 
word,  that  he  would  be  glad  to  meet  mother,  but 
thought  his  obedience  to  the  order  would  be  more 
valuable  to  the  men.  Mother  acquiesced ;  Jennie 
was  indignant ;  Lilly  Sue  shed  tears,  and  all  went 
away  with  a  swollen  throat.  Then,  for  every  m-an, 
woman  and  child  in  town  thought  of  our  boys,  talked 
of  them,  worked  for  them,  then  Lina  took  from  the 
store,  silk  red,  white  and  blue,  and  with  some  others 
fashioned  a  flag  to  be  given  to  the  company. 

On  Sunday  our  ministers  preached  a  sermon  in 
the  churches  for  our  men,  and  in  the  evening  all  the 
congregations  gathered  in  one  house  to  bid  them  a 
parting  God  speed.  To  give  them  the  dear  old  flag. 
Poor  ignorant  people  I  ignorant  soldier  boys,  not  in- 
formed concerning  war  enough  to  know  but  every 
company  carried  its  flag.  How  difi'erent  has  the 
reality  been  to  the  expectation  !  "What  lessons  have 
you  not  learned  since  that  beginning! 

Every  inch  of  room  was  occupied.  The  singers 
seats  filled  with  the  choirs  of  all  denominations. 
Then,  rub-a-dub,  dub — came  the  war  sound  and  the 
company  broke  into  single  file  and  entered  by  either 
aisle  to  the  seats  reserved.     The  air  was  dense   with 


COTTON  STEALING.  119 

emotion.  Hearts  were  full  before  a  word  was  spoken. 
Already  more  than  one  mother  was  intimate  with  the 
death  alarm,  ticking,  ticking. 

Poor  fellows,  thej  are  sleeping  in  the  dust  of  Mis- 
souri, in  the  sun-baked  soil  of  Kentucky,  of  Ten- 
nessee and  Mississippi ;  Louisiana  and  Alabama  hold 
some ;  some  are  invalids  for  life  ;  a  few,  how  few  ! 
have  come  safely  home  ! 

Tears  were  there  and  hearts  too  full  to  cry.  A 
free  people  resolved  to  vindicate  their  honor  and 
transmit  unsullied  to  posterity  what  patriot  sires  had 
bought  for  them.  The  altar  was  country,  and  here 
was  the  sacrifice. 

"  We  give  you  this  flag,  emblem  of  liberty,  hope 
of  the  free.  Let  no  act  of  cowardice  dishonor  it ! 
Yield  it  not  in  defeat,  bring  it  back  when  you  come 
home,  crowned  with  victory ;  we  promise  to  hide  its 
soiled  and  worn  fragments  in  the  holiest  memory  of 
our  hearts.  You  are  blood  of  our  blood,  bone  of  our 
bone,  strength  of  our  strength.  In  your  life  we  live, 
in  your  death  we  die.  But  living  or  dying  let  that 
flag  wave  forever." 

It  was  given  to, our  captain,  who  taking  it,  said  : 

''  I  take  this  flag,  still  yours,  not  ours,  in  the 
name  of  our  country ;  no  North,  no  South,  no  East, 
no  West,  one  and  inseparable,  the  L'nion  indivisible 
forever.  I  thank  you  for  your  kindness ;  we  have 
lived  on  your  bounty  and  we  love  you  for  your  care. 
This  flag  I  take  in  behalf  of  my  men,  and  for  my  part, 
I  am  ready  to  swear  never  to  return  to  you  again 
unless  we  come  in  honor  and  victory.  My  men  will 
you  thus  swear?" 


120  COTTON  STEALING. 

"We  will." 

"  Then  swear." 

And  they  rose  together  a  solemn  unit  in  that  full 
audience.     The  captain  then  said  : 

"■  We  swear  not  to  return  again,  unless  we  come  in 
honor  and  victory." 

James  Manet  now  held  the  flag. 

''  Raise  your  right  hands  ;"  they  were  lifted.  "  By 
the  flag  we  swear." 

And  with  those  hands  raised  to  the  high  heavens, 
in  God's  holy  house,  before  their  fathers,  mothers, 
sisters,  brothers,  loved  ones  and  friends,  they 
together  said, 

"We  swear." 

The  next  morning  they  had  gone.  Man  proposes, 
God  disposes.  But  sometimes  it  seems  as  if  God  had 
left  the  universe  and  permitted  the  devil  to  rule 
alone. 


CHAPTER  XL 

"How   great  a  matter   a  little   fire  Hndleth!" 
Charlie   Hardone  felt  himself  losing  ground,  when 
James  Manet  enlisted;  Lina   Sandison   thought   so 
much  of  the  volunteers.     There  was  but  one  way  to 
gain  position-by  also  enlisting.     He  was  however, 
unwilling  to  be  a  private.     Already  he  had  partly 
prepared  his  work  by  discouraging  men  from  jommg 
the  first  company,  where  he  saw  no  chance  for  office. 
His  mind  hal  started  briskly  into  the  future,  march- 
ins;  rapidly  up  the  steps  of  promotion,  anticipating 
that    i'mificant  abreviation  "  Gen."  before  his  name. 
Tlvs  hope,  the  wish  to  be  a  commissioned  officer, 
niad^e  him  secretly  talk  against  Captain  Bsmons'  coni- 
panv,  telling  persons  under  his  influence  to  '  Hold 
on  ;Ve  are  going  to  get  up  abetter  company  by-and- 
by      Don't  be  in  a  hurry;  wait  until  these  fellows 
cet  oif "     And  now  they  were  off,  and  now  James 
had  gone,  a  fair,  unobstructed  field,  in  love  ami  war 
■n-as  left  for  him.     The  field  was  unobstructed  but  lull 
of  labr,r;  for  as  yet  he  had  neither  company  nor 
commission-without  Vhich   he  could  not   hope  to 
make  a  move  in  the  game  whose  victory  was  Lina. 


122  COTTON  STEALING. 

lie  looked  at  his  chances,  ^|bd  then  went  to  a  young 
lawyer,  a  politician,  who  had  acted  in  concert  during 
the  last  election,  saying  : 

"  Solenter,  why  don't  you  get  up  a  comptiny  ?  I 
will  enlist  the  men.  Army  pay  for  a  captain  is  one 
hundred   and   ten   dollars   per   month,   ^  ions, 

which  will  make  twenty  dollars  more ;  .des  you 
have  a  chance  for  promotion,  and  if  you  only  are 
fortunate,  Sandison  will  use  his  influence  with  Sen- 
ator Wilderfort,  through  whom  you  can  become  a 
Erigadier  General.  That  pays  well,  four  thousand 
dollars  besides  perquisites.  Make  me  second  lieu- 
tenant. Barker  Wentlau  will  take  the  first,  and  we 
will  have  a  company  in  no  time.  It  is  the  best  thing 
to  be  done.  Law  won't  pay  until  the  war  is  over, 
and  after  it  is  done,  the  only  successful  public  men 
will  be  soldiers :  so  you  might  as  well  pitch  in." 

An  avalanche  may  begin  in  a  snow-ball.  Solenter 
was  smart,  and  went  to  Sandison,  Chairman  of  the 
County  Committee : 

"  Sandison  I  want  your  opinion  honestly.  I  can 
make  it  for  your  advantage.  If  you  will  do  the  fair 
thing  by  me  I  will  aid  you  by  my  influence  among 
my  friends.  What  is  your  candid  opinion  about  the 
war?" 

Sandison  said,  '^  I  have  just  received  a  letter  from 
headquarters  asking  the  state  of  public  opinion  here. 
Government  will  go  in  strong,  if  the  sentiment  of  the 
North  will  sustain  and  back  it  up.  Now  what  do 
you  think  ?     Have  we  got  back-bone  ?  " 

''  Not  a  doubt  of  it  !  Man,  woman  and  child 
would  die  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  the  flao;." 


COTTON  STEALING.  123 

"  I  don't  know,"  slowly  said  Sandison.  "  It  is  an 
awful  risk  to  take.  The  Republican  .party  may 
get  knocked  to  pieces  if  it  goes  too  fast.  We  must 
keep  cool,  not  let  our  feelings  get  ahead  of  our  judg- 
ment." p 

"I  «.  ^re  for  any  party.  1  am  ready  for  the 
first  thin^  r.j)t  turns  up,  if  I  stand  a  chance  of  com- 
ing on  top.  Will  the  war  last  longer  than  six 
months?  " 

''  God  bless  your  soul,  yes.  This  is  only  tlie  be- 
ginning, although  it  will  not  do  to  talk  too  loud. 
But  we  must  be  cautious.  The  party  wont  sustain  too 
great  pressure.  President  Lincoln  is  all  riglit  and  un- 
derstands the  crisis.  lie  will  not  go  one  step  faster 
than  he  is  compelled.  There  are  great  constitutional 
questions  undecided,  and  the  democrats  will  take 
advantage  of  every  mistake ;  now  we  are  in  power 
we  must  manage  to  keep  the  track." 

"  Then  the  war  will  continue.  That  is  all  I  want 
to  know.  I  am  going  in,  and  you  must  help  me.  I 
must  get  in  among  the  €rst  regiments  as  captain ;  I 
have  the  arrangements  all  made.  From  captain 
I  can  get  to  colonel,  and  the  road  to  brigadier  is  not 
difficult.  I  will  make  it  pay  you.  Now,  how  shall 
we  manage?  " 

Solenter — Captain  Solenter — for  when  Sandison 
consented  to  help,  his  commission  was  safe  as  if 
signed  and  delivered — had  placed  the  county  chair- 
man under  obligations  by  a  kind  word  to  a  rich  rela- 
tive. I  make  this  distinct,  and  prominent,  because 
to-day,  and  until  the  war  debt  is  paid,  the  people  of 


124  COTTON  STEALING. 

the  United  States  are,  and  will  be  paying  the  pen- 
alty of  countenancing  such  bargains.  Because  the 
moral  sentiment  of  party  sustains  the  traffic  of  soul. 
Scienter  had  written  of  Sandison  : 

"  lie  is  a  good  fellow,  pretty  hard  up,  but  he  will 
pay  you  one  of  these  days.  He  is  chairman  of  our 
party,  in  our  county,  and  may  do  me  a  good  turn  by 
and-by.  I  will  regard  it  as  a  personal  favor  if  you 
let  him  have  the  sum  he  wants." 

The  time  for  payment  had  come.  How  is  the 
debt  to  be  canceled?  Let  us  examine  the  situation. 
The  quota  is  more  than  full.  The  enthusiasm  of  the 
hour,  from  the  remote  corners,  sends  company  after 
company  to  the  governor.  As  they  come,  each 
brings  the  strongest  individuality,  the  most  patriotic 
fervor.     They  say : 

"  Do  not  refuse  me.  It  is  not  fair  to  make  in- 
vidious distinctions.  Why  should  we  be  left  out  of 
this  struggle  because  we  are  not  on  the  line  of  a  rail 
road  ?  Here  you,  in  the  state  center,  are  to  have  all 
the  honor  and  glory,  and  we,  poor  country  people, 
are  of  no  account." 

Captain  Solenter  without  a  man  has  determined  to 
raise  a  company,  and  get  admitted  to  the  next  regi- 
ment. Sandison  says  he  will  help  him :  Solenter  is 
successful,  and  that  when  forty  full  companies,  whose 
captains  have  already  what  seems  to  them  guaranties 
of  jDOsition  in  the  fi}'8t  regiment,  are  therefore  keep- 
ing up  their  organization,  and  in  many  instances  are 
supporting  their  men  at  their  own  expense. 

The   path  to  success  is  certain,  under  the  princi- 


COTTON  STEALING.  125 

pies  which  govern  party  men  and  party  measures. 
The  man  of  greatest  ability  or  patriotism,  witliout 
party  friends  or  party  influence,  must  be  sacrificed 
at  tlie  call  of  one  who  has  sufficient  weight  with  the 
leaders.  And  this  was  one  of  the  corner-stones  of 
the  Southern  imagination  of  success. 

Their  leading  minds  pointing  at  the  ease  which  di- 
rected, controlled,  governed  and  moulded  political 
parties,  declared  that  the  democratic  idea  was  a  fal- 
lacy, and  the  experiment  of  a  popular  government 
fairly  tried  and  exploded.  Man,  led  by  the  nose, 
was  incap'able  of  self-government.  Had  they  not 
led  the  North,  until  the  sight  of  politicians  crawling 
before  them  was  sickening ;  characterized  by  a  name 
derived  from  an  animal  which  sucks  venom  from  the 
soil,  bloats  its  loathsome,  yellow  belly  with  ugly 
bugs,  and  is  food  for  serpents — a  toad,  toady  !  The 
North  had  toadied  until  the  South  were  sick  and 
tired  of  the  Union,  and  they  were  going  to  leave  it. 
Ah,  there  was  another  side  !  If, — there  was  a  chance, 
that  power  might  leave ;  the  Southern  star  might — 
it  was  on  the  wane ;  then  the  crawling,  sycophantic 
politician — the  degraded  animal  they  despised — 
would  spit  on  them.  Southern  honor  could  not  en- 
dure such  degradation ;  the  pot  got  angry  because 
the  kettle  called  him  black. 

I  doubt  not  that  many  an  honest  Southern  man, 
sound  to  the  core, — a  patriot  of  '76  in  the  idea  of  a 
free  government  of  common  people, — would  return, 
heart  and  soul,  to  the  old  allegiance,  to  the  old  flag 
of  childhood — of  his   father's — with   absolute   assu- 


126  COTTON  STEALING. 

ranee  of  a  pure  ballot-box,  an  unbought  executive, 
and  an  immaculate  legislature  and  judiciary. 

The  danger  lies  in  the  smarter,  more  able,  cun- 
ning, astuter  villain,  who  supplants  the  Judas  in 
power  before  him.  The  means  are  equally  corrupt ; 
the  weapons  equally  satanic.  I  give  that  you  may 
give,  is  powerful.  If  you  do  not  give  I  will  expose, 
has  more  power.  But  the  superlative  of  an  unprin- 
cipled bargain  is,  when  the  strong  nerve  of  a  relent- 
less will  unites  "I  will  give  if  you  will  do,"  together 
with  "  I  will  expose,  will  ruin,  if  you  do  not." 

When  Mr.  Sandison  met  the  governor,-i— I  do  not 
call  that  man  a  fool.  I  forgive  him  the  injury  he 
did  those  hundred  pien.  Still,  can  he  be  relieved 
from  all  responsibility  for  what  followed  ?  At  that 
time,  so  hot  were  men's  passions,  they  could  have 
killed  instantly  the  head  of  the  state  ;  but  since  then 
they  have  seen  acts  of  greater  despotism,  before 
whifeh  this  falls  into  insignificance.  Thank  God ! 
there  is  a  tribunal  before  which  accountability  is 
tried  to  the  remote*  consequence,  and  each  man  suf- 
fers the  penalty  for  his  own  sin  and  folly,  and  no 
more.  For  all  that,  there  is  true  cause  of  astonish- 
ment at  the  honest  patriotism  of  the  common,  every- 
day citizen  of  this  free  land,  who  endured  unflinch- 
ingly the  cuffs  and  indignities  of  the  little,  brief 
authority  placed  over  him ;  submitted  to  red  tape  airs, 
obeyed  the  command  of  one  really  his  inferior,  for  the 
sake  of  the  land  of  freedom.  When  Mr.  Sandison  met 
the  governor ;  for  he  had  received  a  letter  declining  in 
courteous  terms  to  appoint  Solenter  to  the  next  regi- 


COTTON  STEALING.  12T 

ment,  while  he  consented  to  grant  a  commission  as 
soon  as  a  company  was  raised ;  at  this  time  the  gov- 
ernor said  to  him : 

"  Sandison,  I  would  do  anything  in  the  world  to* 
oblige  you ;  but  this  I  cannot  do.  I  have  had  trouble 
enougli  already.  There  are  forty  companies  ahead 
of  Solenter's,  and  I  should  play  hob  with  the  party 
in  other  parts  of  the  state  by  giving  him  preference. 
More  than  that,  I  cannot  do  everything.  The  adju- 
tant general  has  charge  of  the  appointments.  Be- 
sides, Sandison,  your  own  people  are  growling,  and  I 
transferred  the  company  before  to  quiet  Senator 
Wilkins  of  Deerkill.  This  much  I  will  say,  if  you 
can  get  the  general's  consent,  and  fix  anything  in 
good  shape,  I  will  do  everything  man  can  honora- 
bly do  in  the  premises." 

When  Sandison  met  Captain  Solenter,  and  gave 
him  the  governor's  reply,  Solenter's  choler  burst  out 
in  the  following  language : 

'^  Sandison,  you  and  I  must  get  that  commission. 
You  must  hatch  up  some  dodge.  Between  us  it  must 
be  done ;  or,  I  will  foreclose  that  thousand  dollar 
mortgage.  It  can  be  done.  It  must  be  done.  I 
must  have  my  company  in  the  next  regiment.  Let 
us  go  to  the  adjutant  general's  office  and  talk  with 
him." 

That  evening  a  letter  came  to  the  Captain  from 
Charlie,  reporting  progress  and  saying  their  muster- 
roll  had  twenty  names.  Here  was  another  bad  how 
do  you  do.  No  commission  could  be  granted  until 
the  muster-roll  was  filed  in  the  adjutant  general's 


128  COTTON  STEALING. 

office.  Scienter  instantly  wrote  Charlie,  '^  You  must 
fill  up  a  muster-roll  before  Saturday ;  send  it  to  me 
with  sixty-six  names  by  that  mail ;  it  must  be  filed 
m  the  adjutant  general's  office  on  Monday.  Every- 
thing goes  well.     Work  hard  and  drive  business." 

The  first  step  in  the  game  of  chess  is  to  learn  the 
board  and  the  value  of  each  chess-man,  the  moves 
follow,  and  then  the  game  according  to  the  skill  of 
the  players.  Scienter  was  not  a  chess  player,  but 
is  worthy  of  the  name  trump :  he  held  in  his  hands 
rich,  influential  friends,  also  acquaintances,  at  the 
capital.  Sandison  was  the  right  hand ;  the  gov- 
ernor, the  adjutant  general,  and  his  friends  were 
heavy  pieces.  Where  were  the  pawns  ?  Captain 
Esmons  was  one,  sacrificed  ;  so,  also,  were  others. 
But  first  let  me  develope  the  plan,  or  the  sequence, 
which  accomplished  Solenter's  will,  and  placed  him 
captain  of  Co.  B  (Co.  A  is  No,  1,  Captain  Scienter 
of  Co.  B  is  No.  2.  in  the  line  of  promotion.  Once 
out  of  the  line,  then  on  the  staff.  Step  two  is  lieut- 
enant colonel,  and  a  colonel  can  easily  become  a  gen- 
eral by  the  judicious  use  of  proper  influences  at 
Washington  together  with  newspaper  patronage)  in 
the  next  regiment. 

The  acquaintance  of  the  adjutant  general  had  been 
cultivated  amid  the  luxury  of  a  prime  Havana,  (five 
hundred  dollars  a  thousand) — a  stock  was  kept  for 
this  purpose.  In  the  vanishing  smoke  of  the  fra- 
grant and  delicately-flavored  cigar.  Scienter  managed 
to  impregnate  the  official  mind  with  the  valuable 
quality  of   good-fellowship  :      ''  Smokes   a  splendid 


COTTON  STEALING.  129 

cigar.  I  like  him.  Sorry  for  you.  Regiments  all 
full.  You  should  have  come  sooner.  Never  mind, 
a  thousand  chances  yet.  The  governor  is  your 
friend  ?  Shows  his  good  sense.  Will  do  the  best  I 
can  for  you.  Sandison  spoke  to  me  of  you.  Smart 
man,  Sandison.  We  could  not  manage  your  part  of 
the  State  without  him.  Too  late.  Nothing  to  be 
done  until  the  new  call.  Will  be  out  soon.  Then 
every  one  will  have  a  chance.  Not  the  next  regi- 
ment ;  have  two  full  already  ;  put  you  for  the  next 
one.  An  order  from  the  governor  ;  that  might  do. 
Hard  to  work ;  might  be.  I  will  see.  Can't  look 
after  you  alone.  Told  Sandison  so.  There  is  Jones, 
from  Morgan.       Why  not  put  your  heads  together  ?  " 

Politician  Jones  comes  in.  Sandison  says  this  is 
useless ;  for  that  section  of  the  state  having  identi- 
cal hope,  expectation  and  claim,  are  in  antagonism. 
Can  these  claims  be  recognized  and  reconciled  ?  It 
seems  impossible.  Scienter  yields  not  a  hair  ;  holds 
all  he  can  get,  and  waits  for  more.  Time  passes. 
Monday  morning  brings  a  letter  fiom  Charlie,  with  a 
muster-roll,  as  per  order.  He  also  writes  :  ''  Lina 
Sandison  says  her  father  wrote  home,  that  you  were 
having  rough  work  in  getting  accepted,  and  twenty 
companies  were  ahead  of  you  for  the  next  regiments. 
Why  can't  you  get  up  a  Western  regiment  from  our 
part  of  the  state  ?  Our  county-seat  ought  to  have  a 
share  of  the  patronage,  and  a  regiment  leaves  a  pile 
of  money." 

This  is  the  key  to  the  problem.  With  this  in 
hand,  Sandison  and  Scienter  go  to  Jones.  Jones  will 
9 


130  COTTON  STEALING. 

help  make  the  new  brigadier,  if  you  can  use  him 
right.  But  Jones  is  as  firm  as  the  hills  :  "I  consent 
to  a  Western  regiment  from  your  county ;  but  my 
Eastern  regiment  must  be  ahead  of  yours.  You  say 
the  governor  is  your  friend.  Then,  Avhy  don't  you 
and  Sandison  make  him  transfer  that  company  from 
your  town,  and  give  you  the  place?  " 

''  Thank  you,  Mr.  Jones.  This  is  idea  number 
two.  It  will  not  do  to  use  Captain  Esmons  thus,  lest 
the  indignation  of  the  community  fall  on  the  new 
company,  on  the  honorable  chairman,  or  the  governor 
himself;  but  you  have  started  a  new  idea,  grafted  a 
thought  on  the  sectional  one.  Here  is  the  plan  as  de- 
veloped. Three  companies  from  our  section  of  the 
state  shall  be  transferred  to  a  new  regiment ;  belong- 
ing to  an  old  regiment  they  are  entitled  to  preference. 
Jones'  company  shall  take  our  vacant  place  ;  better 
than  lie  had  expected.  Mr.  Sagacious  from  the 
North  shall  have  another,  and  Senator  Hardhead 
from  the  center  shall  take  the  last  vacancy.  To  re- 
concile the  town  of  Stick-to-it  their  company  is  en- 
tered on  the  new  prefered  list.  Three  other  com- 
panies are  also  taken  from  the  regiment,  already 
organized,  which  is  number  one  under  the  next  call, 
an  influential  politician,  designated  as  colonel,  and 
in  caucus  the  four  regiments  are  so  manipulated  that 
thirty  strong,  influential  party-men,  with  their  res- 
pective interests,  are  engaged  to  force  and  consum- 
mate the  plan.  Each  one  of  these  men  had  the  ear 
of  the  governor — had  the  private  entrance  to  the  ad- 
jutant general,   who,  as  a  party  man,  must  answer 


COTTON  STEALING.  131 

to  the  calls  of  party.  Tliank  God,  some  governors 
were  men  enough  to  rise  superior,  e(pal  to  the  emer- 
(rency  !  Each  of  these  men  and  the  host  of  friends 
they  represented  pressed  on  the  governor  as  per 
agreement. 

Captain  Esmons  too  soon  learned  the  new  effort, 
initiated,  and  left  his  company  to  visit  the  governor 
personally,  to  remind  him  of  his  Avord  of  honor,  and, 
in  case  any  removal  had  been  designed,  prevent  it, 
or  have  the  order,  if  such  there  was,  revoked.  On 
his  way  to. the  capital,  he  met  one  of  his  brother 
captains  who  had  been  sacrificed,  he  said,  "  You 
are  too  late  ;  I  have  been  with  the  governor  all  day,  so 
have  four  of  the  best  men  in  our  town ;  if  they  can 
do  nothing,  you  will  be  sure  to  fail." 

"My  case,"  was  Esmons'  reply,  "is  nnlike  any 
other.  I  have  once  been  transferred.  I  have  the 
word  of  the  governor,  and  the  pledge  of  the  adjutant 
general,  and  more,  I  have  a  general  order  of  assign- 
ment. I  have  also  a  special  order  to  me,  as  captain, 
and  to  Mr.  Sandison  and  the  people  of  our  city. 
You  cannot  make  me  believe  the  governor  will  ever 
violate  his  pledges." 

I  must  hasten  over  the  midnight  ride,  the  unsatis- 
factory meeting  with  the  adjutant  general,  the  order 
shown  to  disband  his  company  and  send  the  men  home 
and  wait  further  orders. 

"Send  my  men  home  !  Wait  until  further  orders  !" 
Then  the  adjutant  general  put  on  style,  ceased  to  use 
the  manners  of  a  gentleman,  but  tried  to  bluff  a 
bolder  man  than  himself  by  the  assumption  of  mill- 


132  COTTON  STEALING. 

tarj  authority.  He  had  mistaken  his  man,  met  a 
Rowland  for  his  Oliver,  and  again  laid  all  the  blame 
on  the  governor. 

"  I  could  not  help  you  ;  I  had  to  obey  orders.  It 
is  no  use  now  ;  all  you  can  do  is  to  go  home  and  obey. 
It  will  be  better  for  you." 

What'  an  amount  of  petty  meanness  those  words 
contain  !  "  It  will  be  better  for  you."  That  is,  I  pos- 
sess the  power,  and  if  I  ever  have  the  opportunity  I 
will  revenge  myself  for  thus  daring  to  dispute  my 
acts  or  question  my  motives.  Stomach  my  insults, 
eat  your  own  words,  be  humble,  or  I  will  teach  you 
what  you  never  can  forget. 

That  man  came  very  near  the  feelings  of  a  slave- 
holder. 

Captain  Esmons  was  no  slave.  He  followed  the 
governor  to  his  own  home  ;  met  him  face  to  face,  man 
to  man^ — who  said  to  him  : 

"  Your  section  of  the  state  demanded  a  sectional 
regiment.  I  did  all  L^ould  for  you,  but  I  found  it 
impossible  to  satisfy  the  pressure  unless  I  granted 
their  request  and  I  was  unable  to  reconcile  conflict- 
ing interests,  unless  I  transferred  your  company  to 
another  regiment.  I  have  done  as  well  as  possible 
by  you,  for  although  not  included  in  the  call,  you 
will  be  first  in  the  next,  which  I  am  assured  from 
Washington  will  be  very  soon.  I  advise  you  as  a 
friend  to  accept  what  cannot  be  averted ;  send  your 
men  home,  and  tell  them  to  stand  ready  to  go  into 
camp  as  soon  as  I  ball,  and  by  a  month  or  six  weeks, 
I  think  you  will  be  needed;" 


COTTON  STEALING. 


133 


"  But,  governor,  I  came  to  you  before  you  had  even 
a  full  regiment,  and  you  personally  told  me  you  were 
pleased  to  see  me.     You  advised  me  to  get  up  a  com- 
pany ;  you  promised  to  accept  it,  and  said   I  should 
go  into  the  first  regiment.     I  took  you  at  your  word  ; 
I  raised  my  company ;  you  accepted  it,  and  assigned 
me  to  the  second  regiment.     I  found  no  fault  ;   all  I 
desired,  all  my  men  desired,  was  to  go.     I  thought  I 
knew  my  business  better  than  some,  but  as  both  regi- 
ments were  in  the  call,  it  was  a  small  matter  whether 
we    were  one  or  two ;    then  without  consulting  us, 
(volunteers  not  sworn  in  have   some  rights,  although 
regular  soldiers  have  none,  which  an  officer  is  bound 
to'^respect)  we  were   transferred  to  the  fourth.     My 
men  felt  the  indignity  ;  but  as  there  was  still  hope  of 
service,  no  objections  were  made,   and  now  you  dis- 
band us,  and  order  us  home.     Many  of  my  men,  like 
myself,  are  from  the  East.      They  have  no   home ; 
they  have  given  up  their  situations,  are  without  work. 
^Yhere  shall  they  go  ?     ^More  than  this,  they  enlisted 
for  our  country,  for  the  war,   longer  or  shorter,  and 
we  have  sworn  not  to  go  home  until  it  is  over.     You 
have  done  us  a  great  injustice,  and  I  ask  in  the  name 
of  my  company  to  have  it  undone.     For  myself,  I 
care  little,  for  them  everything.     I  would  rather  die 
than  go  back  and  tell  them  the  governor  of  our  state 
is  untrue.-     Can  this  order  be  reversed  ?     Must  we 
be  disbanded?" 

"  I  see  no  other  way.  You  have  only  the  one 
course.  I  have  just  returned  frcfhi  the  capital,  am 
very  weary*  and  this   whole   subject  is  disagreeable. 


134  COTTON  STEALING. 

I  have  done  the  best  I  could.  You  must  make  it  as 
easy  as  you  can  for  the  men.     Good  evening." 

Scienter  and  Sandison  had  been  successful.  When 
tliey  joined  the  band  of  scheming  men  assembled  at 
the  state  capital,  their  interests  merged  and  blended 
with  tliose  of  the  party,  and  the  conflicting^  claims 
were  arranged  as  judiciously  as  possible.  Captain 
Esmons'  company,  and  the  others  were  made  to 
suffer,  that  a  few-  office-seekers  might  obtain  posts  of 
honor  and  emolument  for  themselves  or  the  friends 
to  Avliom  they  were  in  debt,  or  whose  future  services 
would  amply  repay  this  investment. 

That  night  Captain  Esmons  hastened  back  to  his 
command.  Poor  patriot  ready  to  do,  dare  and  die, 
but  hindered.  Invincible,  determined  man,  quick  to 
conceive  and  accomplish,  he  would  not  be  depressed, 
neither  allow  his  comrades  even  to  feel  the  force  of 
this  blow. 

On  the  steamer  he  fell  in  conversation  with  a  gen- 
tleman— said  he : 

''  I  love  this  state — ^my  only  sister  lives  here  ;  the 
last  of  our  fLimily.  I  wanted  to  hail  from  here.  I 
love  our  neighbors,  truer  and  better  people  never 
breathed.  But  I  cannot  in  honor  go  back  to  them. 
The  honor,  the  word  of  the  governor  may  be  nothing, 
but  mine  is  everything  to  me.  If  I  cannot  get  into 
service  here,  there  are  the  border  states,  Kansas  and 
Missouri.  They  want  men,  and  all  I  need  do  is 
to  write  to  Jim  Lane,  he  knows  me.  I  can  go  as  a 
private.  I  do  not  know  what  my  men  will  say,  but 
I  think  every  one  will  go  wherever  I  lead.     If  they 


COTTON    STEALING.  135 

are  ready  I  will  take  them  to  Missouri  or  Kansas 
and  pay  their  expenses  myself.  Besides  all  this  we 
have  sworn." 

And  then  he  told  this  friend  and  the  circle  who 
stood  listening  to  his  story  of  wrongs,  the  vow  re- 
corded over  the  flag  and  quoting  the  words, 

"Send  them  home!  'Wait  further  orders!" 
exclaimed,  "  I  would  die  first !" 

Made  a  step  back,  when  his  foot  slipped,  and  he 
fell  over  the  steamboat's  unprotected  guajd  into  the 
river. 

He  was  a  strong  swimmer,  but  every  effort  in  the 
swift  current  was  unavailing,  treading  water,  he  took 
some  valuable  papers  from  his  pocket,  put  them  in 
his  hat  and  then  threw  them  towards  the  boat,  and 
then  went  down. 

Three  days  were  spent  in  searching  for  the  body, 
and  at  last  it  was  found.  It  was  taken  to  that  sister's, 
where  it  was  laid  out  in  the  unstained  silk  of  the 
battle  flag  dishonored  by  the  state  executive,  and 
therefore  taken  from  its  stafi",  wrapped  around  his 
breast  and  buried  in  his  coffin. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  soul  is  a  thread.  Time  holds  the  end,  called 
beginning.  ^  The  other  end — where  ?  The  same  ex- 
perience of  similar  events,  developes  or  fails  to 
develope  diiferent  souls.  If  ever  the  mind,  question- 
ing, asks  why  ?  To  what  useful  purpose  are  these 
varied,  tremendous  emotions  I  experience — I  am 
called  to  endure  !  What  beneficial  influence  do  they 
exert  on  my  character  ?  How  do  they  nourish  ?  for 
emotions  are  the  food  of  the  soul.  Then  each  ques- 
tion turns  back  like  the  deluge  dove,  without  finding 
a  leaf,  tree,  or  flower  above  the  waters,  whereon  to 
rest.  All  these  teachings  must  be  good,  although 
the  end  is  hidden,  like  Jehovah's  throne,  in  dark- 
ness. Perhaps  they  are  studies  to  be  appreciated  at 
maturity.  If  so,  what  a  tremendous  maturity  there 
must  be  somewhere  in  the  future  for  persons  educa- 
ted by  war,  as  was  James  Manet ! 

Look  at  him — a  school-boy,  an  orphan,  leaving 
home  to  work  for  a  mother's  support.  Estimate  the 
amount  of  mental  discipline  obtained  from  a  few 
winters   in   a   graded   school.    ^Before  even  that  is 


COTTON  STEALING. 


137 


complete,  transfer  him  to  the  daily  routine  of  a 
variety  store,  where  the  questions  of  government 
and  constitutional  law,  occupying  the  public  mind, 
are  discussed  by  the  politicians  and  lawyers  drawn 
together  at  headquarters.  This  is  all  of  education 
he°can  boast.  These  are  his  best  advantages.  Na- 
ture made  him  a  man,  and  circumstances— I  say 
God's  Providence— makes  the  United  States  his 
school-house;  the  American  people  his  school-mates; 
and  sends  him  into  the  army  to  learn  the  new  lesson, 
—to  complete  his  education  and  graduate.  The 
head  swells  with  fullness  of  brain  ;  the  heart  can  with 
difficulty  retain  the  bursting  emotions  which  follow 
in  such  quick  profusion. 

As  lightning  shot  word  after  word  over  the  electric 
wires,  dispatch  after  dispatch  was  read  at  the  store, 
and  the  busy,  silent  man  held  within  a  load  of  energy, 
determination  and  will,  which  none  but  the  All-seeing 
knew.  \Yhen  great  eternity  shall  exhibit  souls  in 
place  of  faces,  minds  for  capacious  stomachs,  purity 
of  life-principle  in  place  of  color,  James  Manet  will 
stand  among  those  of  Bramin  caste,  Caucasian  com- 
plexion,— a  pure  white  man. 

Lina  Sandison  taught  him  to  love.  Something 
went  out.  In  time  James  learned  it  was  love. 
Why  ?  How  ?  What  for  ?  A  thousand  questions, 
useless  as  Robinson  Crusoe's  gold,  remain  soluble 
only  in  "  I  know  it  is  so."  Inheriting  sensitiveness 
from  a  gone-father,  he  learned  how  to  be  unloved  by 
the  dearest  one  in  the  whole  world. 

Then  he  found  solace  in  his  country,  and,  when 


138  COTTON  STEALING. 

the  call  for  volunteers  came,  the  warm  blood  became 
tinctured  with  excited  life  ;  burned  in  his  forehead, 
scorched  in  his  eye,  tingled  in  his  fingers,  throbbed 
in  his  feet,  electrified  his  limbs,  held  a  grand  carni- 
val in  his  heart  and  chest ;  and,  on  call  of  an  eloquent 
look,  or  a  patriotic  word  or  act,  a  heroic  self-denial 
or  manlj  example  rippled  and  thrilled  with  an  inten- 
sity akin  to  faintness,  an  exliaustion  never  weary  of 
labor.  Self  remembered,  Lina  remembered,  mother, 
— not  one  of  the  sorrows  of  parting  forgotten  ;  all 
remembered;  but  nothing,  less  than  nothing,  com- 
pared to  the  love  of  country — to  the  pure  patriotism 
of  an  American  citizen. 

When  he  took  the  flag — -Lina's  flag — from  the 
hand  of  Captain  Esmons,  the  room  was  dim,  his 
brain  whirled,*and  the  stafi"  leaning  on  the  floor  was 
a  support.  In  the  bottom  of  invincible  purpose  he 
repeated'^the  words  ''We  swear."  Tbe  import  of 
the  oath,  in  God's  house,  was  deeply  impressed  on  a 
mind  imbued  with  religious  principle,  which  had  de- 
cided not  to  unite  with  the  church,  lest,  in -the  new, 
untried  camp  life,  he  should  bring  dishonor  on  the 
Christian  name ;  a  man  who  could  act  Christ  when 
those  who  professed, — may  they  be  forgiven  1 

Words  are  feeble  to  express  the  soul-torture 
brought  on  James,  when,  after  three  days'  search,  he 
found  the  body  of  his  dead,  drowned  captain — the 
pale,  bleached  face ;  those  proud  limbs,  stiffened  as 
water  and  death  stiften  ;  the  wet,  sodden  garments, 
the  pulpy  documents,  the  sandy  hair  filled  with  the 
siftinc^s  of  the  river.     Dead  before  his  time ;   dead 


COTTON    STEALING. 


139 


for   nothing ;  dead  without  cause ;  dead,  and  not  a 
blow  struck  for  honor,  for  glory,  for  country ;  dead 
because  a  political  ^vernor  had  not  integrity,  firm- 
ness, to  keep  his  word;  dead,  and  the  flag  he  had 
sworn  never  to  bring  back,  except  in  honor,  had  been 
sent  back   dishonored   in  the  house  of  his   friends. 
He  had  to  take  the  corpse  home  and  prepare  it  for 
the   grave  because  that   oath  was  a  mountain  none 
others  of  the  company  would  climb,  except  to  escort 
as  mourners  the  body  to  its  forever.     Deeply  griev- 
ing,  almost   shame-faced,    that   band   of   men   came 
back.     Were  they  to  blame  ?     What   should  James 
do  with  the  flag  ?    The  governor  had  refused  to  fulfil 
his  word  ;  he  might  fail  again.    Without  honor  once, 
twice,  three  times,  what  security  remained  of  future 
dependence  on  his  guarantee?     None.     With  stern 
anguish  they  consented,  and  James  Manet  removed 
the  flag  and  gave  it  to  Captain  Esmons  for  a  shroud. 
He  can-ied  the  bare,  useless  staff  in  the  procession, 
attracting  the   attention  of  the  crowd  of  depressed 
patriot   friends;  pointing  to  the  coflin  for  explana- 
tion, where  more  than  one  sacred  tear  started  as  they 
recalled   the   moment,  when   that   now  useless   clay 
grasped  the  banner  with  joyous  life,  and,  strong  in 
•hope  and  noble  purpose,  called  on  his  men  to  die  to 
preserve  it  from  dishonor. 

When  the  funeral  was  over,  James  refused  to  go 
home.  Keenly  sensitive,  a  disgrace,  undeserved, 
seemed  to  chng  to  him.  He  felt  it  in  the  atmos- 
phere ;  shook  it  in  the  hands  of  old  friends  ;  most 
of  all,  in  the  unusual  kindness  of  Lina  Sandison, 
which  produced  that  nleasure  akin  to  pain. 


140  COTTOX  STEALIXG 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  ?  "  She  asked  the 
question  when  those  two  beautiful  sisters,  forgetting 
that  he  was  an^^thing  but  a  loved  one,  put  their  arms 
around  him,  girl-fashion  ;  coveting  the  kind  support 
of  his  arm,  and  leaning  against  his  breast,  as  if 
thereby  to  get  their  hearts  inside  of  his — Jennie  and 
Sue,  feeling  as  if  the  brother  was  an  idol  belonging 
to  them,  now  recovered  after  being  lost,  and  they  had 
determined  to  part  with  it  no  more.  "  What  was  he 
going  to  do?  "  He  had  asked  himself  that  question 
which  Lina  now  put,  and-  it  made  him  glad  that  all 
would  hear  his  answer  ojiven  to  her.  At  this  mo- 
ment  Charlie  Hardone,  searching  for  Lina,  came. 

The  grave-yard  was  on  the  lake  shore.  Beautiful 
pines,  prepared  to  catch  songs  and  murmurs  from 
every  wind- whisper,  stood  on  the  bluff,  — what  a  mag- 
nificent requiem  they  make  when  the  hard,  cold  north 
wind  rages  ! — near  whose  brink  ran  the  road  from 
the  village.  Next  .was  an  orchard;  then  the  bury- 
ing-ground  ;  new,  like  the  West ;  rolling  ;  set  with 
a  second  growth,  save  where  the  sickle  of  the  reaper 
had  cut  them  down ;  long  grass  dead,  long  grass 
green,  creeping  vines,  and  wild-grape  tendrils  clung 
on  to  the  knolls,  making  the  hollows  of  graves  with- 
out monuments  lost.  Wild  flowers  were  in  blossom, 
and  prickly  vines  tore  the  delicate  garments  pressed 
by  the  throng  into  places  not  in  demand  by  the  ordi- 
nary gatherings  of  funerals.     What  will  he  do  ? 

Standinoj  in  the  shade  of  a  few  trees, — one  a  susrar- 
maple,  with  its  beautiful  leaves  ;  another  an  oak  sap- 
ling, promising  by  its  sturdy  young  growth  to  form 


COTTON   STEAI4ING.  141 

a  timber  for  a  sliip  of  tlie  line ;  a  tough  hickory,  and 
a  young  sasafras, — they  were  joined  by  Mary  Wirt- 
man,  her  husband,  and  Ids  chihl.  Happy  Mary  ! 
The  workl  liokis  everytliing  you  love  save  mother. 
Soon  Heaven  -will  take  a  clasp  on  your  morning, 
noonday,  and  midnight  thoughts,  and  only  one  wish 
bind  earth  to  life — this  darling  who  now  stretches  out 
the  plump  child-arms  to  kind  James.  He  releases 
sisters  and  takes  the  little  one;  who  puts  her  tiny 
hands  on  his  face,  gives  a  kiss,  and  then  with  shame- 
faced beauty  clasps  his  neck,  hugs  tight,  and  cuddles 
her  face  behind  his.  shoulder,  whence  she  playfully 
peeps  out  to  see  why  they  are  all  laughing,  assured 
by  the  gentle,  loving  hold  that  she  is  welcome,  very 
welcome. 

Just  now,  Charlie  hoping  to  exert  a  peculiar  influ- 
ence, to  appear  generous,  to  wipe  out  the  impression 
generally  prevalent  of  complication  with  the  enemies 
of  Capt.  Esmons,  with  improper,  haste  addressed 
James. 

^'  Captain  Solenter  wishes  me  to  offer  you  the  posi- 
tion of  orderly  sergeant  in  his  company." 

He  said  nothing  of  a  condition ;  James  must 
secure  twenty  recruits.  This  same  offer  had  been 
made  to  two  others  besides  the  acting  orderly.  As 
soon  as  news  of  the  governor's  new  order  reached 
town  more  than  half  of  those  whose  names  were  on 
that  muster  roll  ordered  them  off.  They  would  not 
serve  with  Capt.  Solenter.  Others  said  they  never 
put  down  their  names  only  to  fill  the  requisite  number 
and  with  the  assurance  that  they  should  not  be  called 


142  COTTON  STEALING. 

into  service.  Of  this  and  other  things  Charles  said 
nothing.  He  came  with  the  most  important,  labori- 
ous'useful  office  in  the  company,  one  on  the  door-step 
of  promotion  and  unasked  offered  it  to  James. 

James  forgave  all  lie  had  unintentionally  cherished 
against  his  friend.  Ills  mother  thanked  Charlie 
from  her  whole  heart.  Jeannie  and  Sue  thought 
Charlie  was  the  next  best  in  the  world.  Lina  felt  a 
warm  glow  for  this  unexpected  act.  Meaifcwhile  the 
question,  What  will  you  do  ?  was  unanswered. 

Mary's  husband  spoke.  ''  James,  if  I  were  you, 
I  would  never  enter  the  service  of  this  state  ;  you 
have  been  abused  ;  your  honor  and  your  jDatriotism 
made  a  derision.  Not  only  this  ;  but  every  one  of  us 
has  been  insulted  by  this  uncalled  for  act  of  oppres- 
sion. Will  you  go  with  me  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and 
join  the  army  ?  If  no  other  opportunity  presents, 
we  will  become  regulars." 

James  replied,  '>  I  have  no  blame  to  cast  on  my 
state,  although  the  act  of  its  governor  has  occasioned 
such  misery.  I  will  go  wdth  you.  Our  company 
have  voted  unanimously  to  serve  as  an  organization 
under  no  captain  but  the  one  dead.  And  as  soon  as 
these  last  honors  are  over,  we  are  going  for  the  war. 
We  shall  keep  our  vow,  although  disappointed  in  our 
hopes  to  honor  Lina's  flag  as  a  company.  We  shall 
separate,  but  none  of  us  I  hope  will  forget  or  feel 
absolved  from  our  oath.  In  one-way  or  another  we 
will  serve  our  country  until  the  end." 

When  Mary's  husband  said,  ''  Will  you  go  with 
me?"    when   James   said,    "I  will  go,"   a  yawning 


COTTON   STEALING.  143 

future  opened  in  Mary's  heart.  Unconsciously  she 
took  her  chihl  from  James  and  pressed  it  to  her 
bosom,  to  hoUl  husband  at  home.  The  sisters,  Jeannie 
and  Sue,  left  James  for  Henry,  Charles  stood  by  Lina, 
but  she  followed  James'  mother  and  joined  him. 
Charlie  watchful  renewed  his  question  : 

"  I  have  answered,  I  shall  go  to  St.  Louis  as  soon 
as  Henry  is  ready,  and  the  sooner  the  better." 

The  mother's  face  was  calm — the  within  tumultu- 
ous. Lina's  younger  face  was  in  sympathy  with 
weeping  Jeannie  and  pale  Sue.  What  a  sight  will 
that  be  when  eyes  shall  be  permitted  to  gaze  on 
emotions  which  the  countenance  sometimes  dimly 
shadows  !  One  look  from  Lina  had  confirmed  James' 
Allie,  still  loved,  now  unhoped  for,  and  in  his  sacri- 
ficing self,  undesired.  lie  had  given  his  life  to  his 
country,  and  in  the  deed  of  gift,  reserved  no  inter- 
est in  the  future.  He  expected  to  die,  would  shun 
no  duty,  avoid  no  danger,  but  wait.  When  destiny 
has  been  accepted  and  fate  by  association  become 
familiar  and  endurable,  if  then  hope  shine,  can  the 
emotion  be  characterized  by  words?  Would  Lina 
have  understood  him  had  she  seen  his  true  emotion  ? 
No,  for  heart  was  before  understanding,  and  instinct 
true  to  what  might  be,  but  was  not  yet.  Between 
them  the  atmosphere  was  loaded  with  subtle  commu- 
nication, producing  uneasiness  unexplainable,  attrac- 
tion by  which  some  unknown  law  of  the  mind-world 
binds  atoms  to  its  center  of  gravity.  Is  the  man 
selfish  who  desires  to  draw  the  loved  into  his  arms 
and  hold  tightly  within  a  ceaseless  embrace ;  or,  is  it 


144  COTTON   STEALING. 

some  law  of  mind-chr jstalization  by  which  element- 
ary principles  are  secreted  and  polarized  into  a  trans- 
parent diamond  of  purest  water  ? 

God  sees  all  hearts.  Blessed  be  this  truth  !  No 
one  is  absolutely  unappreciated.  He  knows,  he  loves, 
he  gives,  and  we  can  go,  cast  on  him  all  our  care, 
trouble,  sorrow,  and  he  will  sustain  and  comfort. 
Mother  and  son,  Jeannie  and  Sue,  Lina,  yes, 
Charlie — last  because  most — Henry  and  Mary,  with 
the  sober,  distant-eyed  child,  all  can  go  to  Him. 
Will  tliey  ?  Quick  as  the  wing  of  a  bee,  sharp  as  its 
sting,  heavy  as  the  lid  of  art  eye  by  poison  sting 
wounded,  Mary  took  her  load,  and  with  the  resolu- 
tion of  a  brave  soul,  tried  to  cheer  by  her  courage, 
and  by  promptly  acquiescingj  in  her  husband's  sa- 
crifice, said  she: 

"  You  may  go.'* 

"  To-morrow?" 

"  Oh  I  to-morrow  !  not  to-morrow  !  How  can  we 
let  you  go  so  soon?" 

Said  James : 

''  I  cannot  stay ;  this  place  is  too  unpleasant. 
But  Henry  need  not  go." 

Henry  answered : 

^'  I  will  go  with  you,  and  we  will  go  to-morrow." 

Ncu 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

Days  pass  on  rapidly  for  Leetto,  whose  interest  in 
the  Yankee  soldier  increases,  since  she  must  use  her 
greatest  caution  in  acquiring  the  information  she 
seeks,  lest  his  suspicion  be  aroused :  moreover,  he  is 
reticent,  answers  with  reserve,  and  she  is  compelled 
to  employ  all  her  acuteness  to  form  the  most  appro- 
priate a^id  apropos  questions  ;  she  is  bold  in  formincr 
opinions,  outspoken  in  expressing,  for  she  has  discov- 
ered a  truthful  nature  which  keeps  silence  rather 
than  tell  a  falsehood. 

Whenever  she  is  baffled  on  one  track,  Leette  does 
not  abandon  the  field.  That  electric  life  of  a  woman 
which  the  Creator  abstracted  from  the  first  man,  is 
attracted  by  the  brave,  honest  prisoner ;  so  that  she 
lingers  in  his  presence,  hangs  around  his  couch ;  and 
she  finds  at  times  the  duplicity  of  her  heart  van- 
quished, whereby  she  is  surprised  to  gain,  in  answer 
to  a  spontaneous  gush  of  emotion  from  a  good  im- 
pulse, information  which  could  not  be  extracted  by 
cunning  questions.  Taking  away  all  she  has  ob- 
10 


146  COTTON    STEALING. 

tained  she  connects  the  fragments,  as  some  old  time 
inquisitor  may  have  hiboriously  put  the  tiny  flakes  of 
the  torn  letter,  part  to  its  part,  until  the  rejoined 
oocumeuu  stands  boldly  forward  to  testify  against  tha 
prisoner.  Then  when  time  enough  has  elapsed  to 
dig  a  grave  deep  to  conceal  her  motive,  she  asks  a 
leading  question  which  shall  prove  lier  position.  In 
such  a  moment  Leette  asked  this  question  : 

''  How  did  your  brother  Henry  die?  " 

The  corporal  answers,  by  saying: — "He  was 
killed  while  defendino;  our  train  from  a  2;uerilla 
attack." 

Another  question  follows,  "  Where  ?  How  long 
ago?" 

As  brief  as  her  question,  is  his  reply,  "  Near 
White  river." 

"  In  a  valley  between  two  hills  I  "  Leette  exclaims 
rather  than  asks,  while  the  corporal  answers  and 
asks : 

"Yes.     Do  you  know  of  it  ?  " 

Leette  continues  her  thought  by  asking : 

"  Was  he  killed  by  the  road-side  ?  " 

James  excited  enough  to  rise  on  his  elbow,  looks 
keenly  in  her  eye,  answers  her's,  and  asks  his  ques- 
tion : 

"  Yes.  How  did  you  happen  to  know  any  of 
these  circumstances  ?  " 

Thoughtfully,  as  if  new  light  had  dawned,  some 
conclusion  been  overwhelmed,  she  said,  speaking  as 
much  to  herself  as  to  him  : 

"  That  was  among  the  first  attempts  at  cotton  trad- 


COTTON  STEALING.  147 

ins.  And  vou  buried  liini,  and  vou  have  not  heard 
from  your  mother  since.  You  have  a  right  to  be 
lonely." 

Now  to  explain  this  more  fully,  "  I"  of  this  story 
must  unfold  another  phase  of  cotton  stealing,  and  a 
part  of  the  past  history  of  James  Manet. 

Following  the  army  since  tl^e  begining  of  the  war 
were  a  large  class  of  men  of  various  nationalities, 
filled  with  one  idea — their  own  benefit — which  was 
placed  above  country  and  above  regard  for  their  fellow 
men.  Men  who  strove  in  every  possible  way  to  entice 
the  soldier  to  squander  his  hard-earned  pay ;  charg- 
ing him  a  price  which  yielded  unconcionable  profits, 
while  the  articles  of  traffic  were  useless  or  worse 
than  useless  under  the  circumstances ;  mere  adven- 
turers, waiting  for  something  to  turn  up.  Some, 
not  contemptible  Jews  or  squahd  Italians,  but  in- 
fluential politicians  at  home,  relatives  or  personal 
friends  of  colonel,  general,  or  commander-in-chief; 
all  waiting  for  fortune. 

This  which  I  now  relate  turned  up  for  some  good 
Cincinnati,  perhaps  it  was  St.  Louis,  it  possibly 
might  be  Cairo  or  Philadelphia  merchants  ;  New  York 
and  Washington,  Boston  and  Chicago  have  npt  been 
unrepresented.  England  has  been  in  the  market 
with  millions  of  dollars  ready  to  invest  in  the  cotton 
business.  This  turning  up  for  some  body,  is  con- 
nected with  this  story  because  it  excited  Col.  Solen- 
ter  and  Adjutant  Hardone  to  enter  the  cotton  busi- 
ness. Before  I  unfold  the  operation,  the  politician 
Sandison's   farewell  injunction  to   Charlie  must  be 


148  COTTON  STEALING. 

given,  as  characteristic,  showing  as  it  does,  the  front 
door  of  temptation  thrown  wide  open  before  he  left 
home : 

"  Make  money.  No  matter  how ;  but  make 
money.  Charlie,  I  am  in  earnest,  money  does  every- 
thing.    Fairly  if  you  can,  hut  make  money.'' 

In  the  onward  marph  of  the  army  a  fort  was  cap- 
tured. Its  walls  were  constructed  of  bales  of  cotton. 
I  do  not  know^  the  number,  I  care  not,  ten  thousand, 
a  hundi'ed  thousand,  no  matter,  a  great  many  thou- 
sand pounds. 

One  of  these  war-fortune-hunting  gentlemen  came 
to  the  general  commanding  : 

"  General,  do  you  want  to  make  a  speculation  ? 
Do  as  I  tell  you  and  I  will  make  your  fortune.  You 
shall  do  no  dishonorable  thing,  nor  have  a  stain  on 
your  character  or  reputation." 

'^  What  do  you  mean?  " 

"  If  you  will  sign  your  name  to  a  document  I  will 
prepare :  mind  !  I  will  not  ask  you  to  sign  unless 
you  can  honorably  and  conscientiously  do  so.  I 
will,  in  case  of  success,  give  you  a  quarter  of  a  mil- 
lion dollars." 

"How is  that?" 

"  You  know  the  fort.  It  is  of  no  account  as  it 
lays,  useless  to  the  government,  useless  to  any  body. 
The  cotton  is  rotting  where  it  lies.  The  soldiers  are 
tearing  up  the  bales,  and  as  soon  as  the  army  leaves, 
the  rebels  will  come  in  and  burn  it." 

"Yes.     True." 

"  Now  I  am  going  to  submit  a  proposal  to  you  in 


COTTON   STEALING.  149 

writing; — I  and  my  partners,  (distinguished  mer- 
chants, capitalists,  men  who  subscribe  the  sinews  of 
war,  in — this  time  we  say  New  York  State,) — offer  to 
pay  the  government  through  your  Quarter  Master 
General  ten  dollars  for  each  and  every  bale  of  cotton 
delivered  us  in  good  order  from  the  walls  of  the  fort, 
taking  it  as  it  lies.  I  will  make  a  statement  of 
the  facts  in  the  case,  you  shall  endorse  the  document 
as  correct,  and  recommend  the  acceptance  of  our  offer 
and  transmit   it  as  official  business  to  Washington." 

"  What  good  will  that  do  you  ?  How  will  you  get 
the  cotton  out  ?  " 

"  The  number  of  bales  is  so  great,  at  least  five 
thousand — say  ten  thousand — that  the  sum  of  fifty 
thousand  dollars  or  one  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
paid  direct,  without  any  trouble  into  the  treasury,  will 
seem  well  worth  while  and  be  accepted." 

"  Well,  how  will  that  help  you  ?  " 

"  As  soon  as  the  off'er  is  accepted,  I  will  make  an- 
other.    You  know  the  supplies  of  the  army  must  be 

hauled  from rail  road  depot,  and landing,  on 

river  and  the  trains  return  empty.  I  will  represent 

in  another  document  that  the  teamsters  have  to  lock 
their  wheels  to  keep  the  mules  from  running  away, 
and  offer  to  pay  five  dollars  per  bale  for  the  transpor- 
tation of  every  bale,  making  twenty-five  dollars  per 
load,  to  the  cars  and  steamboat.  You  shall  endorse 
this  application  as  correct,  and  recommend  the  offer 
accepted.  I  will  see  that  the  proper  influence  is 
brought  to  bear  at  Washington,  and  in  return  an  or- 
der will  come  from  the  War  Department.     All  you 


160  COTTON    STEALING. 

will  then  need  do  is  to  hold  the  army  here  until  the 
cotton  is  out." 

"I  see  nothing  Avrong  in  your  suggestion.  I  Avill 
not  promise,  but  I  will  do  anything  I  can  for  you. 
At  present  I  must  think  of  it." 

Perhaps  this  is  not  the  language  used,  nor  are 
these  the  precise  words  on  file  at  Washington.  The 
facts  are  not  all  stated  here,  and  what  is  stated  here 
may  be  false.  But  the  one  all  important  fact  which 
turned  the  head  of  Charles  Ilardone,  Lieut,  and  A.  A. 
G.  which  made  Col.  afterwards  Gen.  Solenter,  a  cot- 
ton speculator,  that  important  fact  lay  in  the  report 
that  the  major  general  received  his  two  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars,  for  the  simple  fact  of  writing 
his  name. 

Did  he  do  wrong  ?  Wouldn't  you  have  done  the 
same?  IIow  many  of  the  people  in  the  United 
States  have  the  virtue  to  withstand  such  a  tempta- 
tion ?  IIow  many  educated  minds  have  power  to  an- 
alyze the  moral  question  involved,  and  clearly  com- 
prehend the  moral  responsibility  ? 

At 'the  time  these  things  were  shaping  in  Tennes- 
see, James  Manet  and  his  brother  were  following  the 
rough  roads  of  South  Western  Missouri  and  Ar- 
kansas. 

They  had  fought  during  the  three  days'  battle  of 
Pea  Ridge,  had  seen  the  skillful  maneuver  by  which 
the  attack  was  commenced  in  the  rear,  when  Sigel 
with  his  battery  and  detail  of  men  had  covered  the 
retreat  of  the  train  on  the  main  body.  They  *had 
been  detailed  as  guard  to  their  regimental  wagons. 


COTTON    STEALING.  151 

The  rebels  fought  like  brave  men ;  but  they  were 
i|i>t  a  match  for  the  hero  of  Carthage.  Selecting, 
with  his  apt  eye  for  artilleric  effect,  a  turn  in  the 
road,  he  unlimbered  a  section  and  waited  until  the 
enemy  were  in  range,  then  held  tlicm  a":  bay  by  quick 
di:<charges.  Another  section,  with  their  infantry 
support,  followed  the  retreating  train  until  a  new 
position  of  defense  was  reached,  when,  in  turn  un- 
limbering,  they  assumed  the  defensive,  and  the  first 
section,  limbering  lip,  bounded  at  double-quick  to 
seek  their  next  position  to  check  the  out-numbering 
foe. 

And  tliat  last  day,  when  the  cannon  were  all 
massed.  The  rebels  thought  victory  was  secure. 
Our  men  were  lying  on  the  ground  only  a  few  paces 
in  front  of  the  «:uns.  Then  Gen.  Sio;el  came  riding 
to  the  battery,  jumped  from  his  horse,  examined  the 
ranges,  looked  through  the  sights,  and  rubbing  his 
hands,  said  :  "  That  will  do  !  fire  !"  What  a  burst ! 
Watching  its  effect,  he  again  rubbed  his  hands  with 
the  commendation,  "  That  is  very  good.  Fire."  They 
did  fire.  "  Cease  firing — charge."  A  new  volley  ran 
down  tJie  hill  into  the  face  of  the  foe, — a  volley  of 
men  shooting  bayonets.  Regardless  of  the  leaden 
storm  which  sang  death,  they  pressed  to  the  hostile 
line  of  battle,  then  delivered  their  reserved  fire,  amid 
yells  which  demofts .  might  have  uttered,  following 
their  charge  of  lead,  as  if  it  was  only  to  forewarn  of 
the  engine  coming.  The  enemy  did  not  stop  for  the 
cars,  and  we  won  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge. 

The  world  is  not  one  garden   of  Eden.     At  least 


152  COTTON  STEALING. 

the  soldiers  who  followed  the  army  of  the  frontier  to 
Helena,  will  not  call  those  rough  desolate  mountain* 
about  the  source  of  White  river  paradisical.  Black ' 
jack  oak,  hazel  underbrusli,  wliite  and  blue  ash,  in- 
habited by  the  crab-sized  wood-ticks  and  the. small 
seed-tick  that  burrows  head,  body  and  all,  into  your 
flesh,  with  a  ferocity  equalled  by  the  giant  who 
smelled  the  blood  of  an  Englishman  ;  and  then  tJiere 
was  that  other  little  red  insect,  which  is  too  small  to 
be  seen  until  its  bite  mak«s  the  body  pimpled  like 
the  measles,  itching  with  irritation,  and  Avhen  min- 
gled with  the  chafing  of  weary,  sweaty,  dusty  walk- 
ing, made  the  marcli  or  the  rest  almost  a  purgatory. 

That  is  indeed  hard.     This  is  harder. 

The  covetous  desire  of  wealth  was  not  confined  to 
the  army  of  the  Tennessee. 

An  A.  Q.  M.,  no  matter  for  his  name,  came  in 
contact  with  a  prisoner,  who  claimed  to  be  a  Union 
man.  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  explain  the  means. 
This  Union  man  told  the  Q.  M.  that  he  had  an  hun- 
dred bales  of  cotton  hid  away,  and  if  he  would  only 
manage  in  some  way  to  get  for  him  a  box  of  boots,  a 
box  of  shoes,  a  barrel  of  flour,  some  sacks  of  coffee, 
some  sugar,  a  general  variety  of  army  stores,  he 
would  tell  him  where  the  cotton  was  hidden. 

Now  look  at  the  temptation,  cotton  was  worth 
thirty  cents  per  lb.  Th-e  average  weight  of  cotton 
per  bale  is  500  lbs.,  more  or  less,  and  the  value  per 
bale  would  be  $150,  the  average  exceeding  rather 
than  falling  short.  One  hundred  bales  at  this  figure 
would  bring  Sl5,000. 


COTTON  STEALING.  153 

This  quartermaster  could  not  witlistand  the  temp- 
tation. Ilis  own  empty  wagons  could  haul  in  the 
cotton  without  suspicion,  since  seizures  of  cotton 
were  being  made  for  the  government. 

How  to  transfer  the  stores  without  suspicion  was 
the  next  problem.  It  was  solved  in  this  manner.  I 
do  not  mean  to  insinuate  the  author  of  the  sugges- 
tion. The  required  stores  were  carefully  selected 
and  placed  in  an  army  wagon.  This  was  put  in  a 
marked  position  in  the  train,  and  it  was  agreed,  that 
the  Union  man  should  at  the  appointed  place  cap- 
.ture  the  wagon  and  carry  it  off. 

This  miglit  not  be  easily  done,  but  a  creature  of 
the  quartermaster  was  employed  to  drive  the  team, 
and  on  the  attack  he  was  to  start  his  mules  in  fright 
away  from  the  road,  and  in  the  confusion  his  teapa 
woiild  not  be  missed,  or  if  missed,  be  of  too  little  im- 
portance to  be  followed. 

This  plan  would  have  been  successful,  if  two  honest 
privates,  James  and  his  brother,  had  not  been  on 
guard  in  the  train.  When  firing  commenced  they 
stood  at  their  post.  Mary's  husband  saw  the  at- 
tempt to  get  out  of  the  train,  and  drawing  a  bead  on 
the  driver,  too  many  of  whom  were  mere  creatures  of 
pay,  ordered  him  to  drive  on,  or  he  would  shoot 
him. 

James  had  already  given  one  horseman  liis  quietus, 
and  was  loading  ;  the  position  was  a  run  between  two 
hills  ;  a  famous  spot  for  killing  deer.  The  rebels  had 
come  through  the  woods  skirting  the  hill  over  which 
the  wagon  road  led,  and  seeing  the  right  wagon,  made 


154  COTTON  STEALING. 

a  rush  to  head  off  the  mules  into  the  otlier  side  of  the 
run,  hoping  in  this  way  to  driveahalf  dozen  teams  off 
on  a  gallop  before  the  escort  could  have  come  up,  to 
secure  their  own  wagon  and  more.  . 

The  teamster  w^as  too  hasty,  the  guard  too  watch- 
ful. On  one  side  Mary's  husband,  on  the  other 
James  ;  the  team  passed  on  ;  Mary's  husband  went 
over  to  James,  but  before  he  could  reach  cover,  not 
until  he  had  fired,  he  fell  shot  through  the  head. 
The  click  of  hostile  caps,  the  report  of  hostile  rifles 
were  one,  and  two  dead  bodies,  one  hit  by  the  huge 
minnie  ball  fell ;  two  more  offerings  to  the  curse  of 
slavery  passed  into  the  sleep.  Offerings  to  slavery  ! 
no !  cotton  was  the  direct  cause,  slavery  the  remote, 
and, 

Six  weeks  after,  Mary  heard  from  her  husband, 
James  sent  a  half  written  letter.  One  letter  when  }ie 
left  Springfield,  one  came  after  the  glorious  day  at 
Pea  Ridcre,  and  then — nothinoj — nothincr — until  her 
father  was  too  sad  to  speak  or  even  look,  to  tell  her 
of  no  letter.  "  Nothing  mother,"  answered  all  en- 
quiries. Waiting  seemed  forever  and  ever,  and  then 
father  came  into  the  house,  and  the  family  wept 
together.  Jeanie  and  Lilly  Sue  seemed  to  take 
Henry's  death  most  to  heart.  Mary  had  no  more 
than  a  deeper  eye,  a  longer  look,  a  sadder  quiet,  and 
work  over,  held  her  child  more  fondly,  clinging 
closer  to  it  as  time  moved  him  farther  away  from  the 
present,  buried  him  deeper  in  the  alluvium  of  mem- 
ory. This  was  not  their  only  grief;  Lilly  Sue  was 
pining,  never  very  strong.     The  war  was  eating   her 


COTTON    STEALING.  155 

life  away.  •  She   was   an     aBolian,    every  breath  ex- 
hausted, died  away  on  her  strung  nerves. 

Six  weeks  after  !  Dead  six  weeks — in  heaven  six 
weeks,  and  she  did  not  know  it. — James  wrote.  ''We 
buried  him  as  well  as  we  could.  I  i)ut  his  body  on 
tlie  train,  and  when  we  camped  at  night,  one  of  the 
teamsters,  who  is  a  friend,  took  his  wagon,  (the  quar- 
termaster forbade,  but  that  made  no  difference)  and 
we  went  to  a  barn  and  tore  down  the  doors,  and  got 
nails  and  boards  enough  to  make  a  coffin.  It  was 
only  a  rough  thing,  but  so  much  better  than  most  of 
our  poor  boys  get,  I  was  satisfied.  I  washed  his 
face  and  combed  his  hair  ;  I  have  cut  some  off  for 
Mary,  and  will  send  it  home  with  his  knapsack  when 
I  have  a  chance.  But  I  could  not  make  him  look 
very  natural  until  I  tied  a  handkerchief  over  his 
forehead.  I  put  on  him  a  clean  shirt  and  his  best 
uniform,  and  then  some  of  the  boys  helped  roll 
him  in  his  blanket,  and  we  lifted  him  up  and  laid 
him  in  the  coffin.  I  covered  him  carefully  and  nailed 
up  the  box  and  we  took  him  out  linder  a  big  tree 
where  the  boys  had  dug  a  grave.  I  felt  so  bad 
thinking  of  you  I  did  not  know  what  to  do.  We  had 
no  chaplain  for  ours  had  gone  home  after  the  battle 
of  Pea  Ridge.  I  waited  until  the  boys  were  all  gone 
and  then  I  knelt  and  prayed  by  his  grave.  I  do  not 
think  you,  nor  I,  nor  any  of  us,  will  ever  see  it.  It 
was  so  lonesome.  I  thought  of  you  all  and  dear 
Mary.  Dear  Henry,  I  wish  I  had  died  for  him. 
Why  couldn't  I  have  died  ?  I  have  no  wife  to  mourn 
for  me,  no  child  to  leave  alone.     When  I  sawjiim  so 


156  COTTON  STEALING. 

Still,  I  wished  I  was  dead  too.  He  was  brave  as  a 
lion,  and  we  all  loved  him.  I  never  knew  him  to 
do  an  unkind  act  or  speak  an  unkind  word — he  did 
his  whole  duty  and  died  like  a  soldier." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  last  chapter  contains  these  words : 

"  The  one  important  fact  which  turned  the  head 
of  Charles  Hardone,  Lieutenant  and  A.  A.  G.,  and 
made  Colonel,  afterwards  Major-General,  Solenter, 
a  cotton  speculator, — that  important  fact  lay  in  the 
report  that  the  major-general  received  his  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  writing  his  own 
name." 

In  looking  after  the  interests  of  a  corporal,  who 
was  the  victim  of  a  cotton  speculation  in  the  depart- 
ment of  the  Missouri,  the  history  has  come  upon  the 
political  intriguant — a  next-door-neighbor — who,  in 
the  fortune  of  war,  with  more  dishonesty,  with  less 
ability,  and  less  honor,  but  political  partisanship, 
has  managed  to  acquire  position,  fame,  and  fortune. 

Before  the  ^^  I "  turns  back  to  tell  how  a  common 
citizen  of  the  United  States  took  his  first  infant-step 
firmly  on  the  sacred  commission-step  to  preferment  ; 
permit  that  "I"  to  oifer  a  humble  tribute  to  the 
worth  of  that  ^man,  who,  with  only  the  privileges 
and    opportunities    given  to  every  common  school- 


158  COTTON  STEALING. 

child  of  this  noAV  free  hind,  had  the  great  gift  of 
common  sense  to  recognize  and  trust  the  integrity, 
the  virtue,  the  holy  purity  and  unsullied  honor — 
patriotic  honor — of  the  masses,  the  oi  poloi, — the 
common  people — from  whom  he  sprung,  and  by 
whom  he  was  elected,  as  an  honest  man  to  be  their 
President :  who,  knowing  the  corruption  of  the  office- 
seekers  of  the  capital;  the  venality  of  politicians, 
influential  to  Judas-ize  their  constituents,  their  birth- 
right of  constitutiojial  privileges,  and  their  native 
land, — paid  them  their  price  of  thirty  pieces  of  silver 
from  the  nation's  purse,  and  thus  made  them  true  to 
their  constituents  and  their  country.  If  this  history 
is  ever  written ;  if  the  brain,  the  heart  of  the  nation, 
can  ever  become  strong  to  face  the  rottenness  at 
home ;  the  war  most  terrible  waged  by  his  soul 
among  professed  friends,  who  demanded  fat  places, 
fat  commissions,  and  fat  contracts, — then  shall  that 
national  heart  honor  more,  venerate  more,  and  adore 
more  the  sublime  virtue  and  the  spotless  honor  and 
honesty  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  * 

In  infinite  mercy,  m  the  hour  of  the  nation's  Ex- 
tremity, when  liberty,  freedom  and  progress  trembled 
aver  the  brink  of  slavery,  chains  and  barbarism,  was 
given  to  the  common  people,  as  a  Saviour,  an  honest 
man — the  noblest  gift  of  God. 

The  great  redeemed  nation  and  people  of  the 
United  States  of  America  may  look  back  on  the 
blood-stained  years  of  war,  now  over,  with  joy  and 
gratitude  to  the  Almighty ;  for,  as  the  French  revo- 
lution, drenched  in  blood,  has  been  in  its  results  a 


COTTON   STEALING.  159 

blessing  to  France,  as  the  battles  of  old  Ironsides 
have  been  the  magna  chnrta  of  England,  as  the 
American  Revolution  gave  libert^r  to  the  Union,  as 
the  death  of  the  Son  of  God  has  been  productive  of 
the  highest  blessings  to  the  human  race,  so  this  la- 
test, greatest  struggle  has  blessings  untold  in  store 
for  the  generations  of  the  future. 

The  peaceful  citizens  of  the  United  States  are 
made  a  oation  of  warriors  ;  transformed  from  the 
enjoyments,  arts  and  ignorance  of  peace,  to  the.  ex- 
citement, science  and  education  of  war.  A  new 
problem  has  been  solved :  The  possibility  of  a  na- 
tion of  independent  men  volunteering  of  free  will  to 
fight,  to  suffer,  to  die  for  a  moral  question  ;  and, 
after  the  surplus  population  has  been  depleted,  and 
voluntary  enlistments  ceased ;  the  possibility  of  the 
remainder  submitting  to  a  conscription,  assisting 
the  strong  hand  of  military  power  to  take  the  popu- 
lar idea  of  liberty  by  the  neck  ;  consenting  to  the 
suspension  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  ;  enduring 
acts  of  injustice  done  by  arrogance  of  brief  author- 
ity, or  ignorance  of  incompetents ;  and  after  the 
peace  of  the  state  has  been  secured,  when  war  has 
ceased,  the  most  stupendous  corrollary  of  the  prob- 
lem, the  possibility  of  the  leaders,  generals,  colonels, 
officers  of  every  grade,  abdicating  peacefully  their 
positions  and  returning  voluntarily  to  private  life : 
this  other,  no  less  important  corrollary,  the  possi- 
bility of  soldiers  returning  from  war  and  its  demor- 
-alization  to  the  uniform  tedium  of  ill-paid  daily  toil ; 
the  successful  demonstration  to  the  world  that  a  re- 
public can  withstand  a  revolution. 


160  COTTOX  STEALING. 

I  wish  I  had  time  to  paint  with  a  true  pencil  the 
country  as  it  was ;  not  as  those  jealous  of  the 
opinion  of  the  world  would  have  it  appear.  I  am 
not  of  the  number  who  shut  their  eyes  when  un- 
pleasant scenes  are  in  sight.  ^lan  is  not  perfect, 
nor  wliolly  evil ;  even  followers  of  the  Meek  and 
Lowly  often  disgrace  the  name  of  Christians.  But 
Jesus  is  no  less  a  Saviour ;  for  such  weak,  erring 
ones  he  died.  By  assuming  a  purity,  a  holiness,  a 
greatness  not  ours,  we  deceive  the  world,  and  dis- 
courage other  people  anxious  for  the  same  liberty. 

I  am  writing  cotton ;  but  before  I  get  at  the  bales 
marked  "  C.  S.  A,"  and  hidden  away  in  the  fast- 
nesses, the  thickets,  the  swamps,  the  cane-brakes  of 
the  South,  I  must  show  how  simple  private  citizens 
did  in  some  instances  come  up  from  the .  common 
herd,  step  by  step,,  until  they  stood  above  the  multi- 
tude, dignified  by  the  name,  the  pomp  and  circum- 
stance of  power, — and  became  the  nation's  hand  to 
move  its  armies,  deplete  its  treasury,  postpone  it  may 
be  the  termination  of  the  war;  in  at  least  one  case,  to 
disorrace  the  whole  land  bv  their  lamentable  lack  of 
principle. 

Charlie  Hardone  had  his  hands  full.  His  com- 
pany dwindled.  Political  education  had  taught  him 
'to  manipulate  his  muster-roll.  Success  had  been 
partial,  and  Solenter,  smarting  under  well-deserved 
rebuffs,  plainly  told  him  his  position  as  lieutenant  de- 
pended on  the  full  muster-roll  of  actual  men  ready 
to  go  into  camp  :  told  in  that  cautious  reprimand 
which  mingles  promise  of  reward  with  threats  against 


COTTON    STEALING.  161 

failure.  There  were  men  in  abundance,  but  they 
wouhl  not  go  with  him.  Hours  of  thought  strove 
for  a  solution.  Consultation  and  plan  were  frequent 
with  the  captain.  The  offer  of  orderly,  made  to 
James  Manet,  indicates  the  plan  finally  adopted.  A 
company  has  three  commissioned  and  thirteen  non- 
commissioned officers.  A  full  company  must  have  a 
complement  of  one  hundred  and  one  men,  including 
one  drummer,  one  fifer,  and  one  wagon-master. 
Twenty  men  were  already  secure,  leaving  seventy- 
eight  to  be  obtained.  Each  officer  should  be  assured  - 
of  place,  graded  by  the  number  of  men  obtained  for 
the  company.  Three  recruits  entitled  to  position  of 
corporal ;  five  to  sergeant, — the  sergeant  who  brings 
most  to  be  orderly,  and  rank  of  first,  second,  and 
third  sergeants  graded  in  the  ratio  of  recruits,  while 
the  lieutenants  were  each  to  be  responsible  for  ten 
new  men,  or  more  if  possible.  Captain  Solenter 
furnished  funds  for  office  rent,  board,  and  other  ex- 
penses— a  most  important  item,  as  the  rooms  were 
not  distant  from  a  beer  shop. 

"  Come,  boys,  have  a  drink."  Out  of  the  office 
into  the  saloon,  behind  the  latticed  screen,  up  to 
the  counter.  A  common  shop  with  a  huge  square 
ice-chest,  out  of  which  two  long  brass  stop- cocks 
drew  lager  or  June  beer ;  glasses  under  the  counter ; 
a  few  old  barrels,  and  a  few  decanters  of  different 
colored  spirits  ;  two  or  three  round  tables,  a  number 
of  chairs  and  a  long  bench. 

The  crowd  is  composed  of  some  recruits,  some  am-  . 
bitious    privates  anxious   to  become  officers,  a  few 
11 


162  COTTON  STEALING. 

hangers  on  and  two  or  three  persons  from  the  out- 
skirts, who  are  half  decided  to  be  soldiers.  The 
arguments  of  the  office  with  its  drum-sticks  and  fife 
are  unavailing. 

"  Come  boys  what  will  you  have  ?"  all  are  in- 
vited, and  every  one  drinks.  Bar-keeper  asks : 
"Going  to  enlist?  answer,  "Can't  say."  "Oh, 
yes !  now's  your  time.  The  best  company  in  the 
best  regiment  in  the  State.  Capt.  Solenter  is  a 
brick  ;  you'll  have  the  finest  kind  of  times."  "  That's 
so,"  echo  several  voices,  glasses  being  set  down 
empty,  convey  a  question  as  to  the  application.  Bar- 
keeper says,  "  Have  another  drink  boys — I  stand 
treat  to  any  man  who  has  half  a  mind  to  fight  for  his 
country."  (Capt.  Solenter  pays  for  all  this.)  "  Now 
I  tell  you,  if  I  hadn't  this  shop  on  my  hands,  and  a 
wife  and  babies,  I'd  enlist  square  off.  Whiskey? 
Well  that's  all  right,  take  a  little  for  your  stomach's 
sake.  There's  another  thing  I  have  got  to  say  to 
you  ;  perhaps  I  oughtn't  to  say  it,  but  it's  true  for  all 
that.  There  never  was  a  better  fellow  than  that 
Second  Lieutenant  of  yourn ;  he  is  one  of  your  com- 
mon kind  of  men  who  will  take  a  fellow  as  he  finds 
him.  You  should  have,  seen  how  cai'eful  he  handled 
Bob  Roberts  tother  day.  Capt.  Solenter,  he's  got 
the  influence,  but  Charlie  knows  what  he's  about, 
and  is  the  best  fellow  in  the  world."  Best  fellow  in 
the  world,  says  every  one.  And  when  it  comes  to 
singing  he  beats  Jenny  Lind  to  smash.  Hallow ! 
there  he  is — talk  of  the  devil — Hurrah !  for  you, 
Charlie  ;  I  was  saying  you   was  a   tip  top    singer. 


COTTON   STEALING.  163 

Take  something  ?  Boys  you  mustn't  be  offended, 
Charlie  lets  other  folk's  opinions  alone,  if  he  is  rather 
strict,  but  he'll  get  over  that  by  and  by.  Come  now, 
Charlie,  the  boys  kinder  don't  think  you  can  sing, 
open  out  on  'em.     Take  another  glass  boys." 

The  young  men  gather  around  Charlie  ;  they  wait 
for 'the  song — "  Give  us  the  song."     He  says  : 

"  I  don't  think  the  song  is  of  any  account.  I 
would  not  give  a  cent  for  men  who  want  to  be  caught 
by  a  song.  Volunteers  is  what  we  want.  Men  who 
love  their  country.  Those  men  down  South  have 
had  their  way  so  long  they  think  us  mere  cowards. 
Some  of  them  say  they  can  lick  ten  Northern  men. 
Don't  I  see  them  doing  it !  I'd  like  to  see  one  man 
come  in  here  and  clean  us  out."  "So  would  1!" 
said  half  a  dozen  voices,  and  their  eyes  flashing,  told 
how  powerful  and  vindictive  emotions  lay  smoulder- 
ing, while  convulsive  twitchings  of  fingers  indicated 
a  readiness  to  fight  some  one  instantaneously. 

"  They  think  all  there  is  to  be  done  is  to  look  at 
us  and  we'd  run.  You're  all  a  parcel  of  poor  white 
trash,  mud-sills,  or'nary  critters.  When  I  think  of 
it,  I  can't  help  getting  mad.  I  believe  it  is  right  to 
swear  sometimes,  and  I  say,  d — n  them." 

"Bully  !"  shouts  the  whisky  man,  "I'll  fight,  I'll 
die  for  the  old  Union." 

"That  is  what  I  call  the  right  spirit,"  says 
Charlie.  A  man  is  only  half  a  man  who  will  stand 
and  tamely  submit  to  the  insults  of  the  South.  They 
have  some  lessons  to  learn,  and  we  are  the  boys  to 
teach  them." 


164  COTTON  STEALING. 

"  That's  SO,"  says  the  saloon  keeper.  "For  all 
that,  I'd  like  you  to  sing  that  song  you  gave  tother 
night.  Don't  be  bashful.  That,  '  Oh  !  Susannah, 
spank  Yankee  Doodle  on  your  knee.'  " 

"  Oh,  sing  it,  Charlie,  sing  it  Charlie  ;  that's  a 
fine  fellow.  There's  no  one  here  but  us.  Sing  it 
old  fellow." 

Thus  importuned,  but  not  without  hesitation,  he 
sang, 

"  I  came  to  town  the  otlier  niglit 

"Wlien  all  around  was  still, 
I  dreampt  I  saw  old  Southern  rights 

A  coming  down  the  hill, 
A  corn-cob  pipe  was  in  her  mouth, 

Old  Bourbon  in  her  eye, 
Says  she,  I'm  going  to  free  the  South, 
Oh,  Yankee,  don't  you  cry. 
Oh,  Yankee  Doodle, 

Don't  you  cry  for  me, 
I'm  going  to  have  all  rights  myself 
And  spank  you  on  my  knee. 

**  Ise  jumped  on  board  the  telegraph, 

I'll  float  on  every  river. 
My  cotton's  God,  all  magnified 

And  Yanks  are  but  my  nigger, 
De  Union's  bust,  de  South's  run  offi 

I  hardly  tink  I'll  die, 
I'se  larfd  so  hard,  I'se  killed  myself. 
Oh,  Yankees,  don't  you  cry. 
Oh,  Yankee  Doodle, 

Don't  you  cry  for  me, 
I'm  going  to  have  all  rights  myself 
And  spank  you  on  my  knee." 


COTTON  STEALING.  165 

'*  Bully  !  Bully  !  Tlurrali,  for  Charlie  !  Hip,  liip, 
hurrah  !  hurrah  I  hurrah  !  Tiger,  ah  !  By  glory, 
they  shan't  spank  me  ;  I'm  going — come  Bill  Solo- 
mans,  you  must  go  with  us  ;  all  the  boys  are  going  ; 
come  on." 

"  Have  another  glass  of  beer,  boys  ?" 

*'  That's  enough,"  says  Charlie. 

"Just  as  you  say,"  says  the  bar-keeper. 

Come  on  now,  come  on — and  under  the  furor,  and 
with  the  rush,  two  more  recruits  were  brought  to  the 
point  and  signed  the  roll  and  were  sworn  in. 

But  all  of  his  men  were  not  bought  by  a  song. 
Every  town  for  thirty  miles  was  scoured,  and  money 
in  the  shape  of  expense  freely  lavished  to  supply  the 
requisite  number. 

Meantime  James  Manet  was  doing  duty  in  the 
wilderness  of  Missouri  as  eighth  corporal.  Obedient 
to  orders,  which  placed  him  as  task-master  over 
drunken  men ;  called  him  to  assist  in  tying,  as  pun- 
ishment, thumbs  to  high  limbs  of  trees.  Think  of 
the  mental  strain  on  such  a  man,  when  under  his 
charge  are  thirty-six  crazy,  drunken,  shouting  nav- 
ies, levee-rats  and-  miners  !  Did  they  suffer  more, 
when  it  became  necessary  to  silence  their  bellowings 
by  gagging,  or  was  his  the  pain  and  torture  when 
the  pick-handle  was  run  under  the  knees,  held  in  the 
tormenting  position  of  bucking  by  the  fettered  wrists  ? 

What  were  his  thoughts  at  the  loosened  tongue  in 
strong  Celtic  tone : 

''  Och,  blissed  Jasus  !  Och,  howly  vargin  ! 
Whoop  !     D — m   you   for   a   d — d   son  of  a  . 


166  COTTON   STEALING. 

Whoop  !  I'm  a  fray  Amiriken  ceetizan.  I  enlested 
for  the  Union.  Captin,  I'll  shoot  je.  I'll  be  G — d 
d — d  to  hell,  I'll  shoot  ye.  Jist  fur  a  drap  o' 
whishky.  Whoop  !  Hurrah  !  I'm  fray.  Ye  shan't 
gag  me.  I'll  die  fusht !  I  wont  shet  up.  Whoop  I 
I'm  fray  !  " 

Kind  words  and  soft  things  will  not  do  for  brutes, 
and  one  experience  of  the  butt  of  a  musket,  in  a 
drunken  man's  hand,  closes  the  bowels  of  tender 
mercies.  Besides,  the  officer  of  the  guard  expects 
every  man  to  do  his  duty.  The  officer  of  the  day 
will  curse  the  officer  of  the  guard.  lie  will  heat  the 
swollen  expletives  in  transmitting  them  to  the  ser- 
geant of  the  guard;  and  the  poor  corporal  of  the 
guard,  with  enough  authority  to  excite  fear  without 
respect  from  the  private,  has  too  little  to  demand  con- 
sideration from  his  superior  ;  and,  in  the  constant  and 
uncontrolled,  unbridled  play  of  passion  of  the  dis- 
tant camp,  removed  from  the  restraints  of  female 
influence  or  wholesome  public  opinion,  the  poor  non- 
commissioned officer  must  listen  to  the  unchecked 
flow  of  the  language  of  hell,  out  of  lips  of  fetid 
breath,  and  from  demonized  souls,  which  in  sober 
moments  will  call  him  the  best  man  in  the  world, 
and  die  if  need  be  in  his  defence. 

James  was  at  Rolla,  and  saw  the  return  of  Gen- 
eral Lyons'  army.  The  ragged  and  shoeless  First 
Iowa — men  who  sprang  from  cottage  and  mansion 
for  their  country ;  who  walked'  all  the  long,  dusty 
Northern  roads  until  they  joined  the  little  army  on 
its  march  after  the  running  General  Price.     That 


COTTON    STEALING.  167 

company  of  educated,  professional  men,  who,  pro- 
testing against  the  forced  marches  of  one  day  and 
the  idleness  of  many  succeeding  days,  received  an- 
swer from  their  superior,  "  A  soldier  has  no  rigiit  to 
be  a  gentleman."  Who  yet,  at  the  request  of  that 
same  commander,  returned  to  the  battle-field, — for 
their  six  months  had  already  expired,  and  they  were 
forty  miles  on  the  road  home, — returned  by  a  forced 
march  and  joined  General  Lyon — men  to  whom  he 
said  wlien  he  ordered  them  to  charge,  and  they,  with- 
out confidence  in  the  nerve  of  the  man  in  command, 
asked  '^  Who  will  lead  us  ?  "  "I  will  lead  you,  my 
brave  boys."  They  followed  him  in  the  charge. 
He  fell. 

Oh,  had  he  lived,  Wilson  Creek  would  have  been 
an  acknowledged  victory,  without  retreat  ;  for  Lyon 
had  the  nerve  of  a  great  general,  who  can  see  his 
army  melt  arotmd  him,  and  of  the  tattered  remnants 
make  a  fortress  immovable  as  Gibraltar.  In  battles 
with  armies,  as  with  prize-fighters,  it  is  the  side 
which  can  take  the  most  punishment  and  yet  stand 
up  at  the  end,  which  comes  off"  victorious.  He  is  a 
wise  general  who,  by  the  sacrifice  of  one-half  or  two- 
thirds  of  his  army,  defeats  his  adversary,  holds  the 
battle-ground,  and  saves  the  million  lives  of  his  peo- 
ple.    Such  was  Lyon. 

James  Manet  was  witliin  reinforcing  distance  of 
MuUifran  at  Lexinf]rton.  Curses  fell  thick  and  fast 
because  no  orders  came  for  them  to  march.  Some- 
where something  was  wrong.  He  marched  with 
General  Fremont  to  Sedalia.     Think  of  men  taking 


168  COTTON   STEALING. 

the  initial  lessou  in  soldier-life,  with  their  guns  slung 
behind  them,  long  hickory  gads  in  their  hands,  with 
which  they  Avarmed  up  the  tired — in  many  instances 
drunken — stragglers,  and  by  dint  of  blows  forced 
them  to  keep  up  ! 

Hard  as  this  was,  it  was  mercy.  Hovering  around 
were  squads  of  rebels,  who,  with  the  guerilla  spirit, 
found  the  tired  sleeper,  and  left  him  as  Alexander 
left  the  sleeping  sentinel. 

Oh,  soldiering  was  hard  to  learn.  They  who 
think  it  means  simply  being  sick,  or  wounded  or 
dying  on  the  field  of  battle,  know  nothing. 

On  that  hard  march  to  Springfield,  which  political 
jealousy  rendered  abortive,  this  incident  occurred. 
A  burly  corporal  gave  ^ut.  He  was  tired ;  a  soft 
man,  who  gave  up  at  home  at  imagination,  ignorant 
of  himself  as  a  horse  of  his  power.  His  officers 
were  more  exhausted,  as  on  them  fell  the  labor  of  the 
march  and  the  duty  of  keeping  the  company  and  the 
regiment  together.  Price  was  running  as  no  one  but 
Price  and  retreating  rebels  ever  ran  ;  like  a  long, 
lean,  lank  hog,  wliom  you  have  detected  in  a  field 
of  clover.  The  officer  came  to  the  man,  ordered  him 
into  the  ranks  under  penalty  that  he  would  fix  him. 
Soon  after,  the  corporal  fell  out  and  lay  down  again. 
The  officer  waited  until  the  train  came  up,  then  he 
fastened  his  wrists  by  a  cord  and  tied  him  like  a  -d^g 
to  the  army  wagon,  where  he  made  him  walk  for  an 
hour,  then  loosed  him  and  sent  him  to  his  place  in 
the  ranks.  Did  the  corporal  shoot  his  officer  in  the 
first  battle  ?      No.     A  man  who  enforces  obedience 


COTTON  STEALING.  169 

by  such  means,  is  not  afraid  of  an  aaemy.  A  brave 
soldier  respects  a  brave  commander.  That  captain  is 
dead,  but  only  after  rising  from  the  line  to  the  com- 
mand of  a  regiment,  in  whose  front  he  fell,  fighting, 
with  more  than  one  wound. 

Have  you  ever  been  very  thirsty  ?  James  Manet 
has  drunk  water  in  which  swine  have  cooled  them- 
selves. But  wliy  go  on  through  these  horrors  ?  Be- 
cause by  them  is  tested  the  will  of  volunteers,  their 
submission  to  an  idea,  their  willingness  to  suffer,  to 
die  for  their  country ;  because  hereafter  officers  al- 
most wholly  appear,  and  while  many — the  majority 
let  it  be  hoped — are  noble  as  the  angels  of  God, 
some  are  exceptions,  and  as  a  whole,  the  most  self- 
denying  patriotism  is  to  be  found  among  the  quiet, 
uncomplaining  men  who  have  for  thirteen  dollars  a 
month  left  happy  homes,  been  nothing  but  soldiers, 
and  died  alone,  squalid,  dirty,  filthy,  without  a  friend, 
nothing  but  a  private. 

Charlie's  regiment  was  not  called  into  active  ser- 
vice until  after  the  surrrender  of  Forts  Henry  and 
Donaldson,  the  evacuation  of  Columbus,  and  the  cap- 
ture of  Island  10.  They  arrived  as  raw  recruits  at 
Pittsburg  Landing  and  awoke  to  a  knowledge  of  war, 
on  the  early  morning,  when  the  pickets  were  driven 
into  the  camp,  and  the  long  roll  hardly  beat,  before 
the  skirmishers  of  Beauregard  Avere  firing  vollies  on 
the  line  of  battle.  There  was  nothing  for  them  to 
do  but  lay  on  the  ground  and  fight  until  that  position 
became  too  hot,  when  they  withdrew  to  form  a  new 
line  of  battle,  from  which  they  were  again  driven, 


170  COTTON   STEALING. 

not  to  reform  that  day,  but  to  renew  the  fight  in  de- 
tached squads  as  their  nerves  or  fears  permitted. 
Charlie  was  not  a  coward,  neither  Avas  Solenter,  but 
their  colonel  showed  himself  a  coward,  and  for 
cowardice  his  place  was  given  to  the  braver  man. 
And  now  remains  but  one  step  between  Solenter,  the 
lawyer  and  politician,  and  the  brigadier  generalship. 

At  this  point  cotton  properly  begins.  It  only  re- 
mains to  say  a  word  of  Lina  Sandison  and  leave  her 
at  home. 

After  James  Manet  went  to  war,  a  fair,  unob- 
structed field  remained  for  Charlie.  Events  waited 
not.  New  combinations  drove  old  acts,  even  of  evil, 
far  from  thought,  almost  from  memory.  Every 
day  had  new  excitement  so  absorbing  as  to  preclude 
backward  glances,  hardly  admitting  the  anticipations 
of  the  future. 

The  company  was  full  at  last.  Then  through 
some  turn  of  fortune's  wheel,  the  colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment was  transferred.  By  political  and  other  influ- 
ence Capt.  Solenter  succeeded  in  obtaining  the 
lieutenant  colonelcy  over  the  head  of  the  captain  of 
Co  A.  and  the  major  of  his  own  regiment,  uniting  his 
forces  with  the  old  lieutenant  colonel,  who  was  pro- 
moted to  a  full  colonel. 

This  gave  promotion  to  Charlie,  who  became  first 
lieutenant,  and  through  Solenter's  influence,  adjutant 
of  the  regiment.  Solenter,  already  in  conjunction 
with  others,  laid  wires  for  the  removal  of  his  colonel 
and  his  own  necessary  succession  to  the  vacant  post. 
Thus,  before  the  adjutant  had  more  than  a  theoreti- 


COTTON   STEALING.  171 

cal,  Hardee-Tactic  knowledge  of  his  duty,  he  was  in 
a  fair  way  to  be  assistant  adjutant  general. 

Of  this  Charlie  was  proud.  He  was  smart,  he 
was  successful,  praise  fell  gratefully  on  his  ear,  and 
flattery  was  to  him  delicious.  Yet  this  would  have 
been  tame  had  not  success  with  Lina  Sandison  also 
been  granted. 

Lina  Sandison,  to  do  her  full  justice,  had  that  some- 
thing which  at  times  receives  the  name  of  presenti- 
ment, the  inward  instinct  forbidding  to  do  what  was 
soon  to  be  done.  A  combination  of  circumstances 
hemmed  her  in,  their  pressure  directed,  and  acting 
with  perfect  freedom,  still  this  indistinct  impression 
came  occasionally  to  haunt,  to  suggest  danger  in  the 
future.  A  disturbing  force  had  entered  her  mind. 
What  ?  She  did  not  know.  Often  it  happens  that 
the  heart  soes  out,  nor  does  the  owner  know  it  has 
gone.  Up  to  that  moment  such  a  thing  as  heart, 
love  in  this  sense  was  unknown,  nor  is  it  yet  dis- 
covered;  a  want  is  the  sensation;  something  has 
gone.  AYho  has  it  ?  The  poor  child  does  not  know. 
Home  was  happy,  morning  was  lovely,  noon  was 
glorious,  evening  was  perfect.  Now  what  is  the 
matter  ?  The  heart  has  missed  something.  The 
heart  wants  something.  How  many  thousand  thou- 
sand hearts  have  wakened  on  a  morning  since  the 
war  began,  wanting  something  !  weary,  knowing  not 
why  I  Ask  Lina  if  she  loved  James  Manet.  She 
will  answer,  no.  But  when  he  went  to  the  war,  she 
missed  something.  Her  thoughts  turned  to  him 
alone,  might  have  solved  the  mystery   without  mis- 


172  COTTON  STEALING. 

ery.  But  Charlie  came  with  varied  attractions, 
and  his  great  store  of  animal  magnetism.  Some 
men,  as  also  some  women,  have  power  to  attract,  to 
influence  and  control  others,  as  a  gift.  Charlie,  so 
far  as  a  strong  will  can,  compelled  Lina  to  love  him. 
Look  at  his  advantages.  Young,  not  bad  looking, 
genteel,  self-possessed,  forward,  self-confident,  ma- 
king the  most  of  every  gift  and  advantage,  and  he 
had  both.  Then  he  was  a  star  in  their  beau-firma- 
ment, and  other  girls  envied  her, — tried  to  catch  him. 
Besides,  he  was  successful ;  he  was  an  officer  ;  he  had 
been  promoted.  And  then  he  was  fascinating.  Every 
advantage  was  skilfully  used ;  for  Charlie  played  for 
the  stake  of  Lina  Sandison  as  shrewdly,  as  persist- 
ently, as  energetically,  as  for  a  full  company  or  an 
adjutant's  position.  Politics  had  taught  him  to  look 
far  ahead  for  the  main  chance.  And,  when  he  left 
for  the  war,  she  was  engaged  to  him, — trying  to  feed 
her  hungry  heart  on  his  love, — trying  to  satisfy  her 
great  imagination  of  her  Adam  on  him, — thinking 
how  kind,  how^  good,  how  smart,  how  elegant,  how 
beautiful, — making  him  radiant  in  the  rays  of  what 
she  knew  she  could  love,  of  what  she  believed  him  to 
be,  of  what  he  had  made  her  believe  him  to  be. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Genius,  talent  and  capacity  are  governed  by  no 
law  of  primogeniture,  nor  can  be  transmitted  from 
father  to  son  as  an  entailed  estate.  The  Union 
army  was  composed  of  as  smart,  energetic  business 
men  as  the  world  can  produce.  Men  left  the  pulpit, 
left  the  bar,  left  the  dissecting  room  to  fight  as  com- 
mon soldiers  for  their  country.  Clerks,  head-clerks, 
and  book-keepers,  left  the  largest  houses  of  the  great 
cities  of  America  to  become  privates  or  non-commis- 
sioned officers ;  individuals  who  possess  in  the  germ 
the  ability  of  an  Astor,  a  Gerard,  a  Baring,  a  Pea- 
body  or  a  Lawrence.  The  officers  also  were  capable 
far-seeing  business  men.  These  with  half  an  eye 
caught  distinct  views  of  fortunes  possible.  The  sig- 
nature of  a  Provost  Marshal,  a  quartermaster,  a 
general  compasses  a  district,  enforces  an  order  which 
makes  a  monopoly,  whereby  any  individual  can 
realize  a  profit  of  thousands  daily. 

The  first  consignment  of  beer  admitted  to  Vicks- 
burg  cleared  §20,000  in  one  month. 


174  COTTON  STEALING. 

Charlie  Hardone  was  no  fool.  Sandison  had  given 
him  instructions.  Solenter  was  equally  sharp.  The 
commander  of  a  post,  he  possessed  power  to  make 
monopolies  by  special  orders.  Applications  were 
made  almost  daily  to  him  by  individuals  for  privi- 
leges. These  he  turned  over  to  his  post  adjutant 
Hardone,  saying, 

"  By  the  writing  of  my  name  I  give  a  permit  which 
enables  a  man  to  make  his  fortune.  What  good  does 
it  do  me  ?  None.  I  tell  you  I  shall  do  it  no  longer. 
Whoever  wants  me  to  help  him,  must  help  me.  Now 
Charlie  if  you  can  arrange  it  to  make  something 
yourself  and  cover  me  up,  all  right,  go  ahead." 

Charlie  replied,  "  I  will  fix  it." 

Hereupon  Charlie  worked  out  his   plan  which  is 
explained  in  the  following  letter  : 
"  Mr.  Sandison : 

Dear  Sir — Enclosed  you  will  find  letters  of 
recommendation  from  Col.  Solenter  to  Bankers  in 
New  York,  friends  of  his  in  whom  you  can  confidently 
rely.  They  will  do  your  business  for  you  and 
recommend  you  to  other  parties. 

"  Immediately  on  receipt  of  this,  you  will,  if  you 
know  what  is  best  for  yourself,  let  your  store  go  to 
the  devil ;  realise  as  much  ready  money  as  you  can 
beg,  borrow,  steal  or  compass  in  any  other  way; 
go  to  Solenter' s  father  and  get  him  to  endorse  for 
you  ;  then  start  for  New  York,  where  you  will  buy  up 
all  the  Tennessee,  North  and  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia  money  you  can  come  at,  and  then  come 
down  here  and  start  a  bank. 


COTTON   STEALING.  175 

"I  will  guarantee  $100,000 — as  your  share  of  the 
profits.  There  is  almost  an  unlimited  field  of  opera- 
tions. Cotton  can  be  bought  here  for  ten  and  fifteen 
cents  in  gold,  greenbacks  will  do,  but  the  people  pre- 
fer Southern  money,  which  you  will  be  able  to  buy, 
if  you  are  expert,  at  fifty  per  cent,  discount  in  New 
York. 

"  You  have  no  time  to  loose,  for  other  sharp  men 
are  on  the  track.  Go  at  once  and  let  usual  business 
take  its  own  course. 

"  Solenter  w411  furnish  you  all  the  permits  and 
necessary  documents  for  the  army  lines. 

"  You  had  better  while  you  are  East  go  to  Wash- 
ington and  see  the  Secretary  of  War  and  the  Treasury. 
"  I  also  recommend,  this  is  my  own  responsibility, 
you  to  secure  the  co-operation  of  your  state  senator  or 
representative  to  aid  in  case  of  any  complication  with 
the  authorities.  I  have  no  definite  plan  to  sucrorest. 
You  know  more  of  such  things  than  I.  But  it  seems 
to  me  the  offer  of  a  share  of  the  profits  of  the  busi- 
ness would  be  fair.  He  being  on  the  ground  at 
Washington,  would  be  able  to  keep  us  posted  and 
could  cover  up  whenever  necessary. 

"  I  think  in  carrying  out  the  plan,  it  would  be 
well  to  get  Col.  Solenter  appointed  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral, and  then  if  he  shows  himself  at  all  in  our  next 
fight,  by  a  judicious  manipulation  of  our  home 
organs,  we  can  bring  him  so  fully  before  the  country 
as  to  demand  his  appointment  as  Major-General. 
This  will  entitle  him  to  the  command  of  a  district 
and  then  we  will  have  all  things  our  own  way. 


176  COTTON  STEALING. 

"  I  wisli  only  to  give  joi  these  suggestions.  You 
will  need  no  aid  from  me.  On  your  arrival  here  and 
during  our  intercourse,  it  may  become  advisable  to 
play  off  on  you  ;  Solenter  knows  that  to  perfection. 
All  you  do  must  be  done  through  me,  and  he  must 
never  be  involved  in  any  transaction. 

"  In  regard  to  division  of  profits,  it  must  be  by 
thirds.  And,  if  necessary,  we  will  each  give  a  por- 
tion, which  shall  be  made  satisfactory  to  our  agent 
in  Washington. 

"  The  profits  on  a  bale  of  cotton  will  rareh^  be  less 
than  one  hundred  dollars,  and,  with  the  facilities  we 
can  compass,  I  have  no  doubt  we  can  get  out  ten 
thousand  bales. 

"  Now  I  have  a  thousand  thinj^s  to  manacre  besides 
this,  and  of  course  cannot  give  my  mind  to  this  specu- 
lation at  all.  You  can  easily  understand  that  you 
will  have  to  do  all  the  business ;  be  the  beginning, 
middle,  end,  first,  last, — everything  connected  with 
it.  We  know  you,  have  confidence  in  you,  and  you 
must  go  ahead.     You  shall  be  backed  up. 

''  One  word  is  as  good  as  a  thousand. 

"  I  am,  as  ever,  yours,  etc.,  etc., 

"  Charlie." 

Cotton  goods,  once  twelve  and  one-half  cents  per 
yard,  had  gone  up  as  high  as  twenty-five  and  thirty 
cents, — afterwards,  higher  than  half  a  dollar.  Why  ? 
Because  raw  cotton  was  scarce.  What  made  it 
scarce  ?  War.  What  made  war  ?  Slavery.  Un- 
paid labor  of  black  men  has  clothed  our  whole 
people.     Has   not    the   low  price  of   cotton   goods 


COTTON  STEALING.  177 

reduced  the  demand  for,  the  value  of,  all  others 
regulated  by  the  demand  ?  Who,  of  all  our  men, 
women,  and  children,  has  not  sacrificed  moral  res- 
ponsibility when  cheapening  sheeting,  shirting,  or 
prints,  over  the  counter  ?  The  whole  world  has  par- 
taken of  the  American  sin  of  slavery.  Because  the 
sub-divisions  have  been  so  minute,  responsibility  has 
been  assumed  unhesitatingly,  and  the  slave-holder 
been  encouraged  in  his  crime.  The  demand  for 
cheap  goods  encouraged  him  to  rebel, — to  establish, 
by  rebellion,  the  institution  which  reduces  the  cost 
of  this  staple. 

In  those  early  days  cotton  could  be  bought  for  ten 
dollars  per  bale, — ^the  consideration  being,  in  some 
instances,  a  pair  of  boots,  or  a  few  gallons  of  whisky, 
or  any  of  the  many  indispensable  necessaries  of  life. 
The  cotton  supply  diminishing,  people  thought  it 
must  be  obtained  at  any  sacrifice.  The  Treasury 
granted  permits,  subject  only  to  the  control  of  the 
general  commanding  in  the  field,  to  yrhose  judgment 
the  whole  trade  was  confided.  The  few  individuals 
first  engaged  were  extraordinarily  successful. 

Mr.  Sandison  had  anticipated  some  opening  of 
this  kind;  and,  on  receipt  of  Charlie's  letter,  was 
ready  to  embrace  its  propositions  instantly.  Excus- 
ing himself  by  the  tale  of  sudden  call  to  Washing- 
ton, he  went  East  and  secured  a  large  amount  of 
currency  at  rebellion  prices ;  the  bankers  and  bro- 
kers being  very  willing  to  dispose  of  it  at  any  price. 
He  also  secured  his  agent  in  Washington.  Sandison 
was  the  man,  of  all  others,  to  accomplish  any  deli- 
12 


178  COTTON  STEALING. 

cate  mission.  Knowing  men,  he  knew  what  to  leave 
unsaid  ;  susceptible  of  pecuniar  j  influences,  he  knew 
how  to  exert  such  influence  on  others ;  being  an  in- 
fluential party  man  of  long  standing,  he  knew  the 
character,  quantity,  and  quality  of  influence  he  could 
rely  upon.  His  peculiar  genius  and  usefulness  con- 
sisted in  knowing  exactly  how  little  taken  from 
difi'erent  sources  of  power  would  unite  in  accom- 
plishing something  unsuspected  by  any  of  his  many 
assistants, — causing  them  to  raise  their  hands  in  as- 
tonishment, exclaiming,  ''  Is  it  possible  ?  What  a 
man  that  Sandison  is  !  " 

This  being  so,  none  need  be  surprised  that  Sandi- 
son left  "Washington  for  home  with  papers,  to  which 
the  autographs  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
the  Secretary  of  War,  and  the  President  himself,  were 
attached.  These  documents  were  the  more  readily 
granted  because  their  intrinsic  value  was  not  appa- 
rent ;  because,  alone,  they  amounted  to  only  a 
seeming  endorsement,  which  no  one  deserved  more 
than  he,  who,  by  judiciously  preferring  his  claim,  and 
withdrawing  in  favor  of  those  in  power  at  the  exact 
moment,  had  put  the  party  under  obligations  not 
easily  ignored.  The  surprise  lay  not  in  asking  too 
much,  but  asking  so  little,  while  the  favoring  author- 
ities would  have  been  astonished  at  the  efi"ect  of  these 
documents  when  united  each  to  each,  together  with 
good  fellowship,  good  wine,  good  cigars,  and  part  of 
the  profits. 

When  Sandison  arrived  at  home,  for  the  first  time 
his  wife  and  family  were  informed  of  his  intention  to 


COTTON   STEALING.  179 

go  South.  His  relations  at  home  were  of  that  inde- 
pendent character  that  acquiescence  was  of  course. 
Self-sacrifice  had  been  taught  in  his  household  by 
the  insatiable  hand  of  party-spirit.  In  many  res- 
pects he  was  a  politician  in  his  own  family  ;  shrewdly 
governing  without  anger  or  Solomon's  rod.  They 
loved  him.  It  was  hard  at  any  time  to  let  him  go. 
Whenever  he  said,  ''I  go,"  they  never  thought  to 
hinder  or  oppose, — they  wept. 

Lina  has  been  learning  her  lessons.  You  see  it  in 
her  face.  Childhood  has  given  way  to  the  earnest 
woman.  Self-forgetfulness  has  worked  into  her  act- 
ive life,  making  her  foremost  in  labor  for  the  sol- 
diers. What  no  one  else  will  attempt  because  it  is 
hard,  she  passes  not  by  :  careless  for  the  light  gos- 
sip of  little  minds  and  diminutive  souls :  seeking 
forgetfulness  in  doing  something  for  the  heroes  who 
have  given  life  for  us.  The  faint  hungry  look  of 
her  girlish  eye,  is  more  distinct  in  that  of  the  woman, 
who,  in  her  heart  of  hearts,  is  getting  grey^with  emo- 
tion. There  is  a  fire  there,  a  passion,  which  restless, 
and  fitful,  goads  her  to  something,  makes  her  wish  to 
do — and  asks  from  morning  until  evening,  ""VYhat 
shall  I  do?  " — and  when  it  is  all  done,  it  seems  so 
little  ! 

She  is  beginning  to  be  the  smallest  degree  disap- 
pointed in  Charlie.  His  letters  lack  what  she  seeks, 
the  invisible  assurance  of  entire  devotion.  Some 
words  are  trivial,  some  expressions,  whose  words 
are  unexceptionable,  seem  to  have  no  meaning. 
She  is  learning  her  capacity  for  suffering.    She  is  be- 


180  COTTON   STEALING". 

ginning  to  know  how  much  she  can  love,  and  desire 
to  be  loved  bj  a  man  whom  she  can  honor  in  the 
same  degree.  She  is  hungry.  Father  goes  away  with 
only  a  kiss.  Mother  does  not  understand  or  appre- 
ciate her.  She  turns  to  Charlie,  and  is  hungry 
still. 

Just  before  her  father  goes  away,  that  sad  letter 
from  James  tells  of  Henry's  death.  How  awful  to 
die,  so  suddenly,  and  send  no  good-bye  to  his  wife 
and  child ! 

James  writes,  '*  Only  the  night  before  he  died,  as 
we  sat  beside  the  camp-fire,  we  talked  of  all  at  home. 
Soon  after  we  Avent  on  picket.  Then,  for  some  rea- 
son, Henry  seemed  sad  and  lonely,  and  recalled  the 
sad  funeral  of  Capt.  Esmons.  He  said,  since  he 
had  seen  war  and  fighting,  he  was  glad  our  good  cap- 
tain had  found  a  grave  among  his  friends.  "  You  and 
I,  James,  God  knows  where  we'll  be  buried.  I  wish 
that  at  sometime,  Mary  and  my  child  could  come  to 
my  grave."  And  he  spoke  of  mother  and  Jeanie, 
Lilly  Sue,  leaving  not  out  Lina,  for  she  seemed  as 
near  as  one  of  us,  and  then  he  seemed  burdened  to 
know  what  would  become  of  his  wife  and  child  when 
he  was  gone," 

Those  words  !  t  That  remembrance  !  Hearts  are 
traveUng  hither,  tliither,  backward,  forward,  all  over 
our  land.  This  binds  us  closer  to  the  living,  closer 
to  the  hillock  in  the  sun-baked  clay  of  Arkansas,  and 
Lina  felt  ties  of  relationship,  the  great,  common  bond 
of  grief.  How  much  closer  after  Lilly  Sue  went 
away  I  Sue  was  very  near  to  Lina,  and  when  the 
eyes  slept,  Lina  closed  them. 


COTTON  STEALTNO.  181 

Mr.  Sandison  had  no  sooner  reached  his  new  post, 
than  he  sent  for  George  Washington  Wirtman  to 
be  his  cashier.  At  home  he  had  hired  him  to  carry 
on  his  business  for  five  hundred  dollars  per  year  and 
store  privileges.  He  now  offered  him  one  thousand 
dollars  and  expenses  all  paid. 

Wirtman  was  a  thorough  book  keeper,  having 
spent  his  life  at  the  desk.  A  man  of  sterling  integ- 
rity and  unbounded  confidence  in  his  fellow  men  ;  of 
the  number  who  think  every  man  honest,  even  after 
they  have  cast  a  shade  on  themselves.  At  this  junc- 
ture, he  was  the  man  for  Sandison's  purpose.  His 
honesty,  his  unsullied  purity,  would  cover  any  trans- 
actions in  the  office.  He  should  never  know  the  na- 
ture and  character  of  the  secret  business,  and  his  ig- 
norance would  assist  in  preserving  it  intact  and 
hidden. 

The  offer  was  too  good  to  be  refused,  especially,  as 
Sandison  proposed  to  break  up  house  keeping,  and 
have  Mrs.  Wirtman  take  his  residence,  reserving  only 
a  suite  of  rooms  for  his  wife  and  family.  Wirtman 
was  in  debt  for  his  house,  and  this  seemed  to  present 
an  opportunity  of  earning  the  means  of  payment  and 
removing  the  mortgage.  He  accepted  the  offer,  and 
was  on  the  point  of  closing  out  the  store  to  Sandi- 
son's partner,  when  Lina  insisted  on  taking  the  store 
herself,  and  carry  it  on.  She  would  hire  a  clerk  to 
represent  her  interest.  This  would  realize  more 
than  such  a  sale.  Lina  was  successful,  and  immedi- 
ately installed  Mary  Wirtman  as  clerk,  while  she  was 
mother  to  the  fatherless  babe  at  home. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

When  La  Scheme  returned  from  New  Orleans 
and  New  York,  he  came  by  way  of  Memphis, — re- 
maining only  so  long  as  was  absolutely  necessary. 
Whilst  absent,  individual  cotton  trade  had  prospered. 
Small  lots  of  ten  and  twenty  bales,  secreted  by 
planters,  had  reached  the  Federal  lines.  These,  in 
every  instance,  ran  the  gauntlet  of  guerillas,  who 
burned  all  the  private  cotton  they  intercepted.  This 
cotton  trade  soon  attracted  the  attention  of  military 
and  naval  authorities.  A  certain  proportion  of  sup- 
plies always  passed  through  the  lines  when  the 
proprietors  returned  home.  It  became  evident  that 
a  large  proportion — sometimes  the  whole — was  di- 
rectly or  indirectly  applied  to  the  use  of  the  rebel 
army. 

Whenever  guerillas  were  parties,  of  course  the 
profits  accrued  to  the  prosperity  of  the  Confederacy. 
So,  also,  if  any  son,  brother,  husband,  or  father  was 
in  the  Confederate  army, — the  absent  loved  one  is 
dearer  than  self;  if  not  dearer,  is  only  second, — the 


COTTON  STEALING.  183 

extra  pair  of  shoes,  tlie  warm  blanket,  the  cloth  for 
pants  or  coat,  or  the  articles  themselves,  bought  and 
worn  through  the  lines  by  a  rebel,  who  came  in  rags, 
were  forwarded  to   the  army.     The  cases  of  desti- 
tution  among   real    Union    men,   who,   positively  in 
want,  unfolded  the  harrowing  recital  of  their  trials, 
wrongs  and  persecutions,  only  aided  the  contraband 
trade,  and  a  faithful  officer  found  great  difficulty  in 
distinguishing  real  from   bogus    Unionism.      There 
was   an   amount  of  haggard  poverty  clinging   to   all 
within  the  state,   that  the  soul   of  every   true  man 
was  moved.     When  not  twice,  nor  thrice,  but  a  hun- 
dred times,  this  was  proved  a  treacherous  cloak  for  a 
hostile  spirit,  bowels  of  mercy  were  dried,  and  there 
was  no  pity  nor  compassion.     General,  Provost  Mar- 
shal,—every  officer,  even  to  the  sergeant  on  picket, 
became  a  relentless  avenger ;  a  rule  invariable,  save 
when  there  was  a  bribery  of  cotton.     The  Treasury 
made  its  regulations  for   legitimate  trade.     To  the 
War  Department,  through  the  generals  in  the  field, 
the  control  of  individual  cases  was  entrusted.     The 
navy,  by  its  gun-boats,  were  concerned  in  the  trans- 
portation upon  the  river,  and  in  the  enforcement  of 
the  prohibition  placed  on  articles  contraband  of  war. 
In  a  short  time  these  forces  arrayed  themselves  in 
antagonism.      Any   person   who   complied   with    the 
letter  of  the  Treasury  regulations,  was  entitled  to  a 
permit   to  engage   in   the  c(5tton   trade.     A  Jew,   a 
semi-union  man,  a  squelched  secessionist,   knowing 
where  cotton  was  hid,  came  for  a  permit,— obtained 
the  sanction  of  one  department  of  government,  and 


184  COTTON  STEALIJTQ. 

then  proceeded  to  get  out  his  cotton.  "When  the  War 
Department  forbade,  means  were  used  to  remove 
their  opposition.  In  suspicious  cases  the  navy  inter- 
fered ;  and  here  again  forces  were  required  which 
sometimes  had  arms  long  enough  to  touch  ihe  Wash- 
ington center  of  power ;  giant  connections  represent 
giant  capital,  and  when  pecuniary  arguments  are 
used,  power  is  measured  by  depth  of  pocket. 

Instances  can  be  named  where  pecuniary  tempta- 
tions, too  powerful  for  the  moral  stamina  of  all  the 
officers  appointed  to  protect  the  interests  of  Govern- 
ment, had  been  applied ;  where  Treasury,  Army  and 
Navy  had  been  bought  for  a  consideration.  Each 
man,  excusing  his  delinquency,  salving  his  con- 
science with  the  argument,  "  I  am  not  bribed  ;  for  I 
only  grant  a  privilege  which  this  cotton  speculator 
values  enough  to  pay  for.  Government  is  benefited 
in  no  way,  and  is  injured  not  at  all.  I  might  as  well 
make  something  as  have  this  man  acquire  fortune  by 
the  use  of  my  permit,  by  the  aid  of  my  protection.' 

This  was  all  clearly  comprehended  by  Kendal  La 
Scheme, — as  well  before  as  after  his  return  from 
New  York.  Lcette  Ledonc  was  to  be  a  key  upon  his 
finger-board,  to  aid  him  in  his  plans. — plans  which 
embraced  the  Confederacy  in  success,  and  his  own 
safety  and  wealth  in  its  failure.  His  return  was  di- 
rect to  Leette.  Coming  upon  Leette  and  her  prisoner 
unexpectedly,  the  impre'ssion  upon  his  mind  was  of 
distrust ;  fear  lest  the  test  imposed  had  been  too 
great ;  lest  mind  and  heart  had  been  captured ;  lest 
he  had  lost  power  ;  lest  his  plans  should  fail  by  the 
very  means  he  had  chosen. 


COTTON  STEALING.  185 

"  Leette  !  "  She  started.  He  had  come  into  the 
room  like  a  thief.  She  had  "waited  and  watched,  yet 
he  had  taken  her  by  surprise.  "  You  are  getting  on 
well.     Have  you  forgotten  your  country?  " 

She  took  his  hand,  went  into  her  room,  and  said  : 

"  Oh,  Kendal,  I  am  glad  you  have  come."  Leette 
threw  herself  into  his  arms  with  the  abandon  of  a 
woman  who  has  a  right,  who  does  no  wrong.  "  You 
can  persuade  him.  I  know  you  can..  If  he  was 
only  convinced  we  were  right,  he  would  fight  no 
longer.  I  cannot  answer  his  arguments  ;  but  you 
can.  You  know  so  much  ;  you  understand  the  cause 
of  the  war  so  well." 

^'  What  have  you  learned  from  him  ?  Have  you 
won  his  love?  " 

"No.  He  has  been  disappointed.  I  think  so. 
He  will  not  acknowledcre  it." 

o 

"  Been  disappointed  and  loves  yet.  That  is  the 
worst  kind." 

"  I  taunted  him,  but  he  denied.  I  challenged  his 
motives,  called  him  love-cracked.  I  do  not  believe 
that;  he  still  loves." 

"  What  is  her  name  ?  " 

"  He  has  never  told  me ;  but  I  believe  it  is  Allie 
Sandison." 

"  Is  it  possible  !  It  may  be  the  daughter  of  my 
old  friend.  If  so,  she  is  in  Memphis.  Leette,  con- 
gratulate me,  I  am  in  luck.  Who  would  have 
thought  circumstances  could  produce  such  a  combin- 
ation !  I  forgive  your  interest  in  your  prisoner.  I 
would  like  to  see  more  of  him,  to  try  him  a  little. 


186  COTTON  STEALING. 

Then  again  the  two  went  into  the  prisoner's  room  ; 
not  at  first  directing  their  conversation  to  the  corpo- 
ral, but  talking  over  him  until  he  involved  himself. 
Fii'st,  however,  Leette  acknowledged  she  had  not  at- 
tempted to  deceive  him  by  pretending  Unionism. 
"  We  agreed  to  be  enemies  and  immediately  became 
better  friends." 

La  Scheme  complimented  her  on  her  honesty  and 
humanity,  congratulated  her  on  the  corporal's  im- 
proved appearance,  wished  she  could  be  nurse  for 
the  whole  army,  and  carelessly  asked : 

''Is  he  an  abolitionist ?  " 

"  No,"  answers  Leette  for  him.  And  her  prompt- 
ness of  reply  indicates  a  depth  of  interest  which  La 
Scheme  suspected.  She  continues  the  prisoner's  de- 
fence by  saying,  "  He  volunteered  for  the  L'nion 
when  South  Carolina  fired  on  the  starving  garrison 
in  Sumpter.  It  was  a  cowardly  act  I  did  not  ap- 
prove. I  have  heard  you  say  the  same.  He  has 
told  me  about  his  first  company,  how  the  governor  of 
his  state  abused  him  and  killed  his  captain.  Had  I 
been  in  his  place,  the  country  should  have  taken  care 
of  itself !  I  would  never  have  struck  a  blow !  I 
would  have  died  at  home  first  I" 

James  interrupts  :  "  My  own  private  feehngs  are 
nothing,  weighed  against  the  interests  of  my  country. 
I  know  my  commander  would  now  look  from  his 
home  in  heaven  with  pain,  to  see  me  desert  my  flag, 
because  he  could  not  die  fighting  for  its  honor.  I 
should  deem  myself  unworthy  a  seat  there,  if  any 
personal  consideration  could  make  me  forget  myself, 
could  tempt  me  to  become  a  traitor." 


COTTON    STEALING.  187 

"  It  is  very  creditable  for  you  to  say  so.  I  would 
never  fight  for  the  Southern  Confederacy  if  so 
abused." 

"  You  do  not  know  yourself,  Leette.  I  give  you 
credit  for  greater  patriotism." 

"Possibly,  Kendal,"  said  Leette,  pausing  for 
thought,  "You  are  always  right."  The  impulse  of 
personal  revenge  burst  forth  in  these  words,  "  But  I 
would  kill  that  Solenter  the  first  time  I  saw  him. 
And  that  Hardone,  too,  is  a  rascal.  I  know  he 
should  feel  my  vengeance.  No  man  shall  ever  trifle 
with  me.  Oh,  let  him  try  !  "  and  then  Leette  spoke 
God's  name  as  woman  never  should.  "  He  would 
repent !  " 

"  Is  Solenter  a  general  ?  "  asked  La  Scheme. 

"Yes,"  answered  Manet. 

"  Ilardone  his  adjutant  general  ?" 

"Yes." 

"  Both  were  politicians  before  the  war  broke  out, 
with  Sandison  ?" 

The    corporal   answ^ered,    "Yes." 

"  They  are  bad  men." 

Now  this  was  a  mere  blind  on  the  part  of  La 
Scheme.  He  was  deceiving  Leette,  for  he  had  al- 
ready met  his  old  room-mate,  and  arranged  to  deliver 
him  a  thousand  bales  of  cotton  at  a  certain  time,  en- 
gaging as  partner,  entitled  to  one  half  of  tlie  pro- 
ceeds, bcause  he  contracted  to  steal  the  cotton  from 
the  Confederate  government,  and  he  also  agreed  to 
keep  off  the  guerillas,  as  far  as  he  could ;  that  is. 
Gen.  Solenter  should  head  an  expedition  to  protect 


188  COTTON  STEALING. 

the  boats  while  taking  it  on,  and  he  would  keep  them 
from  burning  the  cotton  before  they  arrived. 

La  Scheme  only  pretended  to  steal  from  the  Con- 
federates. Gen.  Solenter,  Sandison,  and  the  Adju- 
tant General  did  not  pretend,  they  stole  the  cotton 
from  the  National  Government,  from  the  National 
Treasury,  and  are  rich  at  home,  enjoying  the  proceeds 
after  the  war  is  over.  Neither  the  corporal  nor  Leette 
imagined  what  he  meant  when  he  said : 

"  That  is  valuable.  Thank  you,  Leette,  I  am 
truly  obliged.  You  have  done  well.  Your  prisoner 
is  a  prize."  Then,  as  if  he  had  forgotten  himself, 
he  used  the  following  language  :  "  You  are  a  LTnion 
man.  I  have  relatives  in  the  North,  Union  men.  I 
wish  they  were  dead.     Democrats  and  old  line  whigs 

-  now  all  dyed  abolitionists." 

•'  \7hy?"  asked  Manet. 

"  I  will  tell  you  why.  AYhat  right  had  they  to 
interfere  with  our  local  institutions  ?  What  right 
has  any  state  or  individual  to  question  the  acts  of  a 
sovereign  state  ?  Where  can  they  find ;  how  can  they 
execute ;  how  can  they  legally  perform  any  act 
outside  of  their  jurisdiction  ?  We  are  free  and  in- 
dependent, and  for  our  own  benefit  joined  the  North  ; 
when  we  choose,  when  our  interest  demands,  we  are 
at  liberty,  and  have  the  power  to  go  whither  our  sov- 
ereign will  directs.  You  would  hinder  us,  you  would 
try  and  stop  us.  As  well,  dam  the  Mississippi  or 
harness  a  thunder-storm." 

"This  is  a  marriage,"  said  Manet.  "Man  and 
wife  contract  with  each  other ;  but  they  have  no 


COTTON   STEALING.  189 

right,  mutually,  to  dissolve  the  relation ;  for  society 
has  also  its  rights,  and  enforces  the  law  of  divorce. 
The  South  has  disregarded  the  rights  of  the  North 
and  taken  the  law  into  her  own  hands ;  has  appealed 
to  arms,  to  the  right  of  revolution ;  and  the  question 
now  is,  which  is  the  stronger.  We  have  greater 
population,  greater  wealth,  and  hotter  still,  we  have 
right  on  our  side.     We  shall  succeed." 

''  You  do  not  know  the  spirit  of  our  people.  We 
never  can  be  conquered.  The  South  conquered  the 
English  in  the  Revolution.  George  Washington  be- 
longs to  us.  We  have  gained  every  battle  of  this 
war.  We  are  invincible :  by  birth-right,  by  crea- 
tion, God-made  to  conquer." 

"  Sir,  I  cannot  see  it.  Because  the  slaveholders 
of  the  South  have  from  their  cradle  lorded  a  supreme 
will  over  miserable  slaves,  and  more  miserable  white 
trash,  they  have  become  impregnated  with  an  idea  of 
invincibility.  You  can  conquer  slaves.  You  might 
be  expected  to  hold  on,  to  weary  out  the  endurance 
of  your  common  poor  white.  But  you  cannot  tire 
out  a  free,  educated,  thinking  man  of  the  North. 
You  may  convince ;  but  you  cannot  compel,  you 
cannot  master :  when  you  propound  the  question  of 
endurance, — throw  your  money,  your  life  into  the 
conflict, — he  will  meet  money  with  money,  he  will 
put  life  against  life,  and,  as  you  oppose,  he  will  re- 
sist to  the  bitter  end." 

"  So  will  we,  corporal.  We  will  endure,  and  you 
will  fail.  When  the  war  touches  your  pockets,  the 
d — d  mercenary  life-blood  of  your  small-souled  Yan- 


190  COTTON    STEALING. 

kee  counter-jumpers  and  pedlars  Trill  flow  in  streams 
lar^e  enough  to  wash  old  Abe  Lincoln  out  of  his 
throne,  built  of  dead  men's  ivory — sculls  and  cross- 
bones." 

"  Oh,  Kendal !     What  is  the  matter  ?  " 

'' Nothing."  Nor  was  he  disturbed.  He  was  only 
playing  with  her — testing  her  regard  for  the  prisoner 
by  cruel  words.  Would  she  care  for  words,  without 
respect  or  a  finer  emotion  ?  What  difference  to 
him  ?  None ;  save  as  the  latent  devil  desired  a  mo- 
nopoly of  conquest,  demanded  faithfulness  of  the 
victim  while  he  took  license  as  he  pleased.  "  Come, 
Leette,  I  have  much  to  say  to  you.  We  will  talk  to 
the  corporal  at  another  time.  I  am  glad,  sir,  to  see 
you  so  well.  You  could  not  do  other  than  well  with 
such  care.  Your  side  cannot  give  you  much  incon- 
venience ? ' ' 

"  Some ;  but  fast  healing.  I  shall  be  as  good  a 
man  as  ever,  thanks  to  Miss  Leette." 

"  There,  you  are  calling  me  Miss  Leette  again. 
Why  do  you  never  forget  ?  I  shall  be  very  angry  if 
you  disobey  me." 

"I  am  a  prisoner." 

"Yes;  my  prisoner,  under  parole." 

"Almost  well  enough  to  go  to  Richmond."  And 
La  Scheme  left  the  room,  leaving  a  cruel  thought  in 
the  air  behind  him. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

"Why  are  you  so  cruel?"  asked  Leette,  when 
they  were  seated  at  the  table,  where  she  entertained 
La  Scheme  apart  from  the  household. 

"  Why  are  you  so  kind  ?  " 

"  Do  you  suspect  me  ?  " 

"  Do  you  trust  yourself  ?  " 

"  You  left  me  a  work  to  do.  You,  yourself,  said 
'  Well  done.'     What  would  you  have  more  ?  " 

"  Have  you  won  his  love  and  trampled  it  down  ? 
Have  you  not,  rather,  given  him  a  respect  you  can- 
not recall  ?  " 

"  I  like  him ;  and,  if  I  am  to  have  a  Yankee  hus- 
band, I  want  him." 

"You  love  him.     Ah  !  Leette." 

"  Don't  say  that  again  !  Don't  you  !  You  know 
better."  Leette's  eyes  flashed;  that  lip  drew  back, 
— the  white  teeth  shone. 

La  Scheme  was  satisfied.  It  remained  for  him  to 
direct  her  passion, — toward  himself  as  long  as  it 
suited  his  purpose,  and  then — no  matter.     He  said : 


192  COTTON  STEALING. 

"  Leette,  I  "svill  give  liim  one  more  trial.  I  will 
argue  with  him  until  you  are  perfectly  satisfied. 
Before  we  begin,  I  will  promise  to  manifest  no 
anger,  nor  say  a  violent  word.  I  will  do  this,  though 
I  may  be  boiling  (as  if  La  Scheme  could  boil)  with 
passion ;  and,  Leette,  I  will  do  this  for  your  sake. 
Frankly,  now,  I  do  not  believe  the  country  will  be 
benefited.  This  corporal  is  a  man  too  firm  in  princi- 
ple to  desert ;  has  too  much  character  to  yield  to  any 
argument.  Still,  I  will  try.  After  I  have  failed — 
for  I  know  I  shall  fail — you  may  succeed  by  off'ering 
your  love.  Not  in  earnest.  That  true,  abiding  af- 
fection is  mine.  I  claim  it  forever.  Leette,  you 
know  forever.  If  I  fail  by  argument,  you  will  suc- 
ceed with  love.     Do  you  doubt  it?  " 

^^No." 

Leette's  answer  was  a  conviction.  While  watching 
and  waiting,  association  had  fulfilled  its  law.  A  wo- 
man meets  an  impossibility  in  striving  to  nurse,  tend, 
be  kind,  yet  hate.  She  pitied;  she  loved, — not  a 
brother's,  neither  sister's,  nor  love  such  as  La  Scheme 
held ;  yet,  love  begot  by  circumstances  and  fostered 
by  respect.  She,  also,  with  pardonable  vanity,  be- 
lieved herself  irresistable.  Had  she  not  won  La 
Scheme  ?  Had  not  others  bowed  before  her  ? 
When  had  she  ever  failed  in  winning,  if  she  de- 
sired ;  and  was  a  Yankee  able  to  resist  charms  like 
hers?  This  plantation,  her  blood,  her  education, 
her  power,  wealth,  beauty, — who  could  resist  Leette 
Ledonc  ?  Would  James  Manet  ?  In  like  circum- 
stances, man  may  be  excused  for  falling  in  love.     A 


COTTON    STEALINQ.  193 

deep  pit  was  dug  for  his.  feet,  of  which  he  was  ig- 
norant.    Will  he  be  taken  ? 

Changing  the  subject,  she  asked,  "Have  you  been 
successful?  " 

"  Beyond  my  hope.  I  find  friends  everywhere. 
In  some  places  it  is  necessary  for  me  to  assume  the 
appearance  of  an  original  Union  man,  who  has  been 
driven  into  rebellion.  Generally,  I  need  no  false 
colors.  I  find  great  dissatisfaction  with  the  conduct 
of  the  war  by  the  Administration.  I  also  find  the 
prime  movers  making  their  fortunes  out  of  the  war, 
and  ready  to  see,  or  not  see,  whenever  their  interests 
are  involved.  I  find  ambitious  men  disappointed; 
full  of  bitterness  and  gall  ;  ready  for  whatever 
may  come, — even  to  treason, — if  their  vengeancQ 
may  be  obtained.  The  party  out  of  power  will  do 
anything  to  be  reinstated.  Of  those  who  are  in 
power — who  are  simon-pure  abolition  devils — I  know 
many  who  would  send  us  amunition  by  the  ton,  a^d 
whp,tever  we  need,  were  they  sure  of  concealment 
and  their  profits.  The  elements  of  distruction,  which 
I  have  counted  safe  for  our  success,  exist  all  over  the 
North.  They  abound,  can  be  increased,  are  multi- 
plying every  day.  All  that  is  heeded  is  organiza- 
tion, combination, — the  union  and  harmony  of  these 
various  and  conflicting  elements  in  on^  grand  whole. 
Then  the  Administration  and  Government  can  be 
easily  overthrown,  without  a  shot  from  our  side,  or 
the  loss  of  a  man.  The  subject  weighs  on  me.  I 
am  devising  a  plan.  But,  first,  I  must  have  money 
at  my  command.  Oh,  if  I  only  had  a  thousand  mil- 
13 


194  COTTON  STEALING. 

lion  dollars  !  I  would  buy  every  sinner  of  the 
North,  and  then  they  would  put  the  abolitionists  in 
hell.  Oh  !  Leette  we  must  have  money  !  money  ! ! 
money  !  1 1  We  must  sell  our  cotton  for  greenbacks 
if  we  cannot  get  gold  ;  money  we  must  have  !" 

"  Why  do  you  place  such  importance  on  money? 
Our  soldiers  will  do  their  part.  They  whip  the  Yan- 
kees every  time." 

''  Yes  ;  but  look  at  the  hold  they  tak^.  Our  men, 
valiant  as  they  are,  cannot  withstand  their-  numbers. 
When  we  retreat  from  a  victorious  battle-field,  they 
take  possession,  and  so  fortify,  that  their  cowardly 
gangs  can  maintain  possession  against  all  we  can 
spare  to  attack.  Besides,  it  is  our  policy  to  retreat, 
to  draw  them  from  their  base  of  supplies,  and  make 
them  starve.  We  owe  to  ourselves  and  humanity  not 
to  expose  the  lives  of  our  men  uselessly ;  and  if,  by 
leading  Yankees  into  our  land  they  can  be  destroyed 
bji  sickness,  is  not  the  result  valuable  as  a  battle  ? 
Gen.  Bragg  is  retreating  from  Champion  Hills,  For- 
rest is  retreating  from  Nashville,  and  this  expedition 
of  Gen.  Herron's  to  Fayetteville  will  end  in  the  same 
way  ;  while  before  long  you  will  see  that  Gen.  Blunt 
will  claim  a  victory  at  Maysville,  won  under  similar 
circumstances.  I  have  told  you  before  that  we  must 
not  expect  to  be  always  victorious,  that  dark  days 
are  before  us,  before  our  noble  generals,  before  our 
victorious,  our  long  enduring  glorious  army.  Nov>- 1 
propose,  long  before  it  transpires,  to  take  advantage 
of  the  revolution  in  the  North  to  accomplish  our  in- 
dependence." 


COTTON  STEALING.  195 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?     What  revolution  ?" 

"  I  mean  the  next  election  for  President  of  the 
United  States.  Every  election  is  in  its  nature  a  re- 
volution, in  which  the  issue  of  an  entire  change  of 
Administrative  policy  is  involved.  Now,  if  by  com- 
bining every  element  of  opposition  at  the  North,  we 
can  make  the  Northern  people  draw  back,  change 
their  policy,  and  acknowledge  our  independence,  don't 
you  see  we  have  gained  the  victory  by  a  bloodless 
battle  ?  In  .this  battle  you  have  a  most  important 
part  to  play — Money,  cotton — cotton,  money.  Will 
you  do  your  part?" 

"  Can  you  doubt  me  ?'* 

"  No,  Leette.  But  a  single  purpose,  unwavering, 
nev^r  faltering,  is  requisite ;  and  I  fear  lest  love,  or 
some  other  passion,  may  divert  from  the  nqble  heroism 
of  absolute  devotion  to  your  native  land." 

With  a  sudden  impulse,  the  hot-souled  woman  rose, 
and  went  to  her  open  piano,  so  situated  that  she 
looked  him^  full  in  the  eye,  her  eye  expressive  of 
most  intense  passion,  and,  running  lightly  over  an 
accompaniment,  sang ; 

"  My  heart  is  a  flower,  born  over  the  sea ; 
It  bursteth  witU  perfume — 

Shed  only  for  thee  : — 
For  thee ; — my  love  only — 

Shed  only  for  thee. 

"  My  heart  is  an  ocean,  pure,  boundless,  and  free : 
It's  flooded  with  rapture — 

When  taken  by  thee : — 
By  thee ; — my  love  only- 
Taken  only  by  thee. 


196  COTTON  STEALING. 

**  My  heart  is  a  heaven,  one  angel  I 
I  love  hhn  for  ever, 

That  angel  is  thee  : — 
My  own  love  ; — mine  only — 

Mine  ! — my  heaven  is  thb^s. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

Flattery  is  the  slime  of  the  Serpent  of  evil.  La 
Scheme  approached  Manet  with  flattery. 

*'  Corporal,  I  have  congratulated  you  on  your 
nurse.  I  must  award  you  a  palm  of  victory  for 
winning  her  admiration.  She  has  even  persuaded 
me  to  such  an  opinion  of  your  worth,  as  to  induce 
me  to  offer  my  influence  to  obtain  a  parole  for  you, 
and  she  insists  that  I  can  obtain  for  you  a  commis- 
sion in  our  army.  She  thinks  you  are  an  honest 
man,  who  follows  a  conviction  of  duty,  and  believes 
that  I  can  put  our  cause  in  such  light  that  you  will 
acknowledge  the  wrong  and  no  longer  fight  against 
us." 

Manet  was  about  to  speak,  when  his  words  were 
anticipated  thus : 

"  Hear  me  through.  I  know  this  proposition  can- 
not strike  you  favorably  at  first.  Indeed  I  told 
Leette  I  had  small  hope  of  your  accepting.  She 
says  she  knows  you  better.     I,  who  am  acquainted 


198  COTTON  STEALING. 

with  the  world,  know  not  more  than  one  second  to 
Leette,  who  is  one  in  a  thousand,  and  less  than  ten 
"in  a  million.  For  her  sake  I  now  make  the  offer. 
It  may  be  I  shall  not  obtain  a  commission ;  but  I 
can  give  you  wealth  beyond  your  highest  expectation. 
And  I  think  I  can  put  the  rebellion,  as  you  term 
our  secession,  before  you  in  such  a  light  that  you 
will  see  it  as  do  Leette  and  myself,  the  true  har- 
mony of  creation — the  ordained  system  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  world." 

"  How  is  that  ?  "  asked  James. 

"  You  are  a  thinking  man.  You  must  have  no- 
ticed the  poor  working  of  our  republican  institutions. 
You  know  that  they  are  a  failure.  A  republic  can 
only  be  maintained  by  pure  men  of  honesty,  integ- 
rity and  poverty  ;  men  above  reproach — esteeming 
others  better  than  themselves — always  ready  to  suf- 
fer, thereby  doing  patriotic  service.  This  is  possible 
to  a  certain  poin^  of  national  existence.  The  United 
States  have  attained  thus  far  ;  have  come  as  near 
heaven  as  fallen  humanity  can  attain.  Poverty  is 
the  criterion  of  purity.  A  wealthy  republic  is  im- 
possible. It  will  fall  by  intrinsic  corruption,  as  flesh 
drops  from  a  rotten  mule.  Every  republic  of  the 
past  has  so  fallen.  All  were  successful  while  pov- 
erty, integrity,  and  simplicity  reigned.  After  do- 
minion became  extensive,  luxury  came, — then  the 
republics  of  Greece  and  Rome  fell.  The  time  has 
come  for  the  fall  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  I  only  ask  you  to  save  yourself  in  the  general 
ruin.  It  can  be  done  in  one  way :  by  joining  the 
aristocratic  Southern  Confederacy. 


COTTON   STEALING.  199 

"  There  is  a  law  of  wealth  which  the  North  has 
violated.  It  has  thrown  to  the  poor  of  the  world  an 
invitation  to  get  rich ;  excited  the  ambition  of  every 
miserable  wretch  in  Ireland,  England,  and  Dutch- 
land  ;  made  him  a  discontented  citizen  ;  brought  him 
to  this  land  to  be  a  tool  of  unprincipled  demagogues, 
who,  by  his  aid,  overthrow  your  institutions, — mak- 
ing it  necessary  for  the  good  of^  the  land  to  establish 
the  only  true  system  of  government — the  limited 
aristocratic  monarchy.  The  North  deserves  its  fate ; 
for  it  cannot  but  fail.  Every  aristocrat  in  power 
ought  to  crush  your  Northern  States,  and  aid  us  in 
striving  to  return  to  the  only  true- normal  condition 
of  power — the  ruler  and  ruled,  the  king  and  subject, 
the  master  and  slave. 

"  You  have  given  high  wages  ;  the  result  is,  the 
elevation  of  ignoran-Ce,  brutality,  and  insignificance ; 
the  shadow  without  the  substance — dross,  brass  de- 
manding the  place  of  pure  gold.  Your  servant  is 
clad  in  silk  of  the  latest  pattern, — gorgeously  as  her 
mistress.  Perhaps,  by  the  accident  of  complexion, 
form,  and  color,  surpasses  her  attractions,  and  is  fit 
for  a  decent  mistress.  Yet  this  ignorant  piece  thinks 
herself  the  equal  of  the  high-born  woman,  whose 
blood  is  better,  purer,  and  above  her  own." 

"  It  may  be,"  said  James,  ''  she  has  a  mind  supe- 
rior to  her  station.  I  have  seen  humble  ones  who 
were  infinitely  superior  to  those  for  whom  they  la- 
bored, in  every  way  save  the  accidental  relation  of 
wealth,  which  made  one  work  for  the  other.  This  is 
one  of  the  best  results  of  free  institutions, — making 


200  COTTON  STEALING. 

employer  and  employed  equal.  The  same  rights, 
the  same  opportunities  are  open  to  both ;  the  servant 
of  to-day  may  be  independently  rich  to-morrow ; 
neither  losing  caste,  nor  degraded  in  the  least.  A 
republican  government  is  one  of  equality." 

"  Equality  I  "  contemptuously  repeated  La  Scheme. 
He  hated  the  word.  '^  There  is  no  equality.  Up- 
start poverty  is  the  most  contemptible  equality. 
Codfish  aristocracy.  Dead,  damp  mist,  calling  itself 
rain.  Look  at  yourself — a  common  soldier.  "Who 
is  your  commander  ?  An  upstart,  with  half  your 
brains :  placed  over  you  by  the  fortune  of  political 
favor.  The  aristocratic  element  exists  in  your  army 
from  Major-General  to  the  man  with  two  stripes, 
captain  of  a  corporal's  guard.  Look  at  a  man  like 
yourself — the  unit  of  aristocracy.  What  do  you 
get  ?  Hog-sty  quarters  in  camp  ;  transportation  as 
a  cooped  chicken,  a  herded  mule,  penned  cattle, 
boxed  sheep,  on  railroads  and  steamboats ;  living, 
eating,  sleeping  (when  you  get  to  sleep)  in  your  own 
filth ;  or,  if  on  the  march,  in  the  mud ;  while  officers 
are  in  a  cabin  state-room,  fed  at  the  cabin  table. 

"  I  know  more  of  you  than  you  imagine.  Your 
major  is  a  Provost  Marshal.  Do  you  know  he  is 
partner  in  that  trade-store  in  Helena  ?  It  sells  when 
no  one  else  can ;  headquarters  gets  all  its  liquors  and 
supplies  there,  free  of  cost.  I  went  to  the  silent  part- 
ner, who  does  the  outside  work,  and  asked  him  if 
he  had  pluck  enough  to  engage  in  a  speculation, 
which,  with  some  danger,  would  net  him  two  hundred 
per  cent,  profit — perhaps  a  thousand.     He  took  me 


COTTON  STEALING.  201 

by  the  hand,  saying,  •  I  am  your  man.'  He  is  a  man 
of  nerv? ;  he  has  pluck. 

'•  I  told  him  a  hidy  friend  of  mine,  ^^ou,  Leette, 
had  hidden  twenty  bales  of  cotton,  averaging  six 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds  to  the  bale,  A.  1.  Arkan- 
sas cotton,  wortli  fifty  cents  a  pound  in  Helena.  I 
told  him,  you  and  your  friends  had  not  a  thing  to  eat 
for  a  year;  no  salt,  no  sugar,  nothing  ;  that  you 
were  first  quality  people,  who  were  wealthy,  but  the 
war  was  hard  on  every  one,  that  Leette  had  not  seen 
a  pair  of  new  shoes  since  '61 ;  that  she  wanted  family 
supplies,  and  would  take  the  whole  at  fifteen  cents 
a  pound  in  supplies,  or  thirty-five  cents  in  green- 
backs;  that  the  articles  of  female  wearing  apparel 
she  wanted,  could  only  be  obtained  in  Memphis,  and 
if  he  would  only  take  the  whole  ofi*  my  hands,  I 
would  go  to  Memphis  myself  and  buy  the  articles  at 
Memphis  wholesale  prices ;  paying  by  an  order  on 
him,  while  he  should  charge  Leette  the  retail  price 
in  Helena,  payable  in  cotton  at  fifteen  cents.  He 
demurred  to  the  price  per  pound  as  I  expected — 
your  Yankee  cute  trader  always  haggles — I  came 
down  gracefully  to  tAi  cents  per.  pound,  he  agreeing 
to  apply  for  and  secure  the  permits  and  see  the  goods 
safely  delivered  outside  of  the  lines.  Leette  was  to 
come  in,  as  she  did,  merely  to  conform  to  the  regula- 
tions, and  go  through  the  form.  She  would  not  take 
the  oath,  and  then  we  used  those  other  people  as  a 
blind.  It  was  a  sure  thiilg-  of  five  thousand  two  hun- 
dred dollars,  to  say  nothing  of  the  profits  of  trade." 

Drops  make  an  ocean.     A  httle  act  of  wrong  done 


202  •  COTTON  STEALING. 

carelessly  by  many  individuals,  becomes  a  huge  crime, 
and  the  several  diminutive  deeds  of  corruption  done 
by  individual  soldiers  and  officers,  may  cost  a  nation 
its  life. 

"  You  are  an  honest  man ;  you  suffered.  Your 
Provost  Marshal  was  bought ;  your  captain  was  influ- 
enced by  your  Provost  Marshal  ;  and  your  officer  of 
the  guard,  by  the  same. influence,  was  the  most  insig- 
nificant your  regiment  could  afford.  It  has  all  come 
out  right ;  for  the  gallant  little  fight  you  made,  has 
covered  the  whole  transaction  beyond  suspicion,  and 
I  am  under  obligations  to  you  for  it. 

"Equality?  Those  men  are  your  superiors  in 
rank,  but  they  are  inferior  to  you  in  soul  as  hell  is 
lower  than  heaven.  There  is  not  place  in  society  for 
every  man  to  be  rich,  for  every  man  to  be  a  judge, 
representative,  governor,  president ;  when  ten  thou- 
sand equally  ambitious  men  seek  office,  the  most  cor- 
rupt will  obtain  supremacy,  because  they  will  use 
measures  to  obtain  their  ends  which  honorable  men 
cannot.  There  was  once  a  republic  of  honest  men ; 
our  fathers,  who  lived  in  times  that  tried  men's  souls, 
only  asked  a  crust  and  honor.  Time  has  taken  those 
heroes  from  earth,  and  left  others,  uninfluenced  by 
their  motives  and  principles  ;  men  born  of  dirt,  with 
groveling  souls,  to  be  rulers  of  the  republic.  This 
the  South  has  endured.  We  have  hoped  against 
hope,  and  at  last  we  have  taken  the  only  remedy,  sad 
and  desperate  as  it  is.  •  Revolution !  We  seek  ^ 
pure  government  where  only  the  best  men  can  be 
rulers,  can   be   leaders.     Ariston — aristocracy  :  the 


COTTON  STEALING.  203 

best,  wisest,  greatest  men.  Born  to  be  great,  born 
to  be  good,  born  to  watch  over,  care  for  and  protect, 
poor  fallen  humanity,  unable  to  take  care  of  itself. 
A  noble,  high  toned  aristocracy  is  the  purest  and 
best  government  the  world  has  ever  seen — not  that  a 
republic  is  not  a  good  government.  This  has  been 
good.  The  day  has  past,  is  gone  forever  ;  because  a 
free  government  requires  greater  integrity  than  man- 
kind are  capable  of  maintaining." 

"  I  thought  you  commenced  the  war  for  the  sake 
of  slavery ;  because  the  abolitionists  threatened  your 
peculiar  institutions.  For  this  purpose  you  organ- 
ized the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  and  planned 
the  rebellion  long  before  they  originated." 

"  Different  men  have  different  motives.  Different 
minds  explain  events  as  they  understand  them.  I 
give  you  my  understanding  of  the  relations  between 
North  and  South. 

"  I  am  a  Knight  of  the  Golden  Circle.  1  was  at 
Mobile  at  the  time  of  the  formation  of  that  order, 
and  underneath  the  outside  organization,  compre- 
hended the  subtle  intent.  It  is  the  simplest  thing  in 
the  world,  and  I  will  explain  it  to  you. 

"  The  civilized  world  must  have  cotton,  sugar,  and 
tobacco.  Artificial  wants  have  been  created,  must 
be  satisfied,  and  the  South  can  furnish  these  agricul- 
tural products  cheaper  than  the  rest  of  the  world. 
Cotton,  sugar,  and  tobacco  will  always  bring  their 
value  in  gold,  in  every  market,  'therefore  they  are 
gold.  The  land  that  produces  them  is  the  golden  land. 
The    Gulf   States   and   Mexico    will   produce    these 


204  COTTON   STEALING. 

golden  products  in  the  greatest  abundance,  forming  a 
circle  of  whicli  Cuba  is  the  center.  The  Knights  of 
this  Golden  Circle  designed  to  take  this  Golden  Island 
of  Cuba,  and  to  this  end  adopted  their  primary  or- 
ganization. Central  America  and  the  Southern 
Gulf  States  were  also  included. 

"  Underneath  all  this,  was  the  design  to  establish  a 
limited  monarchial  aristocracy.  Cotton,  sugar,  and 
tobacco  are  gold.  The  golden  land  raises  cotton, 
sugar,  and  tobacco.  The  owners  of  the  land  must 
control  the  labor,  white  or  black,  necessary  to  pro- 
duce the  crops  that  bring  gold.  They  pay  the  taxes, 
therefore,  they  should  make  the  laws,  should  rule  the 
land ;  they  should  only  vote.  Labor  without  capital 
is  brute  cattle-power,  and  ought  to  be  subject  to  the 
rich  man. 

"  Slavery  is  only  a  pretext  to  bring  about  this 
grand  result.  Slavery  exists  at  the  North  as  it  does 
at  the  South.  We  have  seen  it  and  known  it,  and  it 
is  right.  All  men  have  not  power  to  perceive,  and 
blindness  is  as  common  North  as  South^  South  as 
North.  Party  spirit  was  the  entering  wedge  of  dis- 
truction.  As  one  by  one  the  old  bones  of  contention 
passed  from  public  observative  politicians  in- 
flamed the  public  mind  with  new  questions.  The 
United  States  bank,  the  protection  tariff,  public  im- 
provements, one  after  another  failed  to  lift  ambitious 
men  to  public  places  of  emolument.  Public  men, 
too  lazy  to  earn  their  bread  by  hard  blows  and  wear- 
isome sweat  of  the  brow,  magnified  this  slavery  ques- 
tion, which  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle  use  to 


COTTON  STEALING.  205 

excite  all  the  Southern  people  to  that  point  which 
culminated  in  secession,  and  which  ultimately  jvill  es- 
tablish an  aristocracy  on  this  continent  which  shall 
govern  the  world." 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  saying  there  is  slavery  at 
the  North?" 

*'  Look  at  your  country  !  Gigantic  corporations 
rule  cities  and  villages.  You  are  slaves  to  them. 
They  dole  out  wages  in  their  sovereign  pleasure.  We 
support  our  slaves  in  sickness,  and  in  the  decrepi- 
tude of  old  age  ;  corporations  shut  up  shop  when  tfiey 
please,  and  starve  their  slaves,  the  poor  laborers, 
without  care  or  responsibility." 

"  The  laborer  of  the  North,  sir,  is  not  dependent 
on  his  employer ;  he  can  at  any  moment  refuse  to  la- 
bor, and  then  the  capitalist  must  fail ;  or,  if  he  de- 
mands higher  wages,  must  yield  tt>  the  demand." 

"  Corporal,  I  know  all  about  gtrikes  ;  they  are  tem- 
porary. Length  of  purse  always  weighs  down  starv- 
ing opposition.  Even  the  educated  poor  man,  lawyer, 
doctor,  or  merchant,  fall  in  behind  the  wealthy,  and 
use  their  education  to  mould  a  public  sentiment  which 
will  serve  the  common  master — a  slave-holder  with- 
out the  duties  of  ownership,  with  the  rights  of  a  mas- 
ter, the  power  of  pocket,  the  despotism  of  necessity, 
and  the  lawlessness  of  a  tyrant.  Oh,  you  northern 
laborers  are  slaves^  mean,  contemptible  servants  of 
the  rioh.  Do  rich  men  fight  jour  battles?  No! 
they  stay  at  home,  fattening  on  contracts.  Poor 
men  have  to  fight ;  rich  men  speculate.  They  can 
buy  your  laborer,  soul  and  body,  can  find  a  substitute 


206  COTTON   STEALING. 

any  day.     What  can  the  poor  man  do  ?     Leave  wife, 
children,  and  home,  and  fight  your  battles." 

''  My  father,  sir,  taught  me  that  desire  for  prop- 
erty, for  wealth,  was  legitimate — destructive  only 
when  it  centered  in  self.  Capital  invested  in  gigan- 
tic enterprises  is  not  necessarily  hurtful.  It  degen- 
erates to  luxury  atid  vice  when  laid  up  for  others — 
demoralises  those  who  receive  it  unconscious  of  its 
value.  In  other  lands,  where  men  are  not  free,  capi- 
tal has  been  monopolized  by  a  few.  My  father  taught 
me^o  regard  money  as  water,  seeking  a  natural  level. 
Some  men  will  be  rich  ;  must  I,  on  that  account,  be 
covetous  ?  Nature  makes  infants,  not  capitalists ; 
nature  does  not  invest  millions  in  entailed  estates ; 
nature  has  no  lords  or  nobility ;  nature  made  man  as 
it  made  forests.  Why  is  one  tree  larger  than  ano- 
ther ?  Fallen  nature  introduced  a  curse — labor. 
Labor  is  not  properly  remunerated  ;  and  laboring 
men  have  no  permission  in  any  other  land  in  the 
world  to  get  rich.  Rich  men  love  to  get  the  labor  of 
the  poor  for  less  than  its  value,  as  thereby  their  prof- 
its are  increased.  I  do  not  see  why  that  should  make 
a  free  man  destroy  the  only  government  in  existence 
where  he  has  privileges  equal  to  the  sovereign,  where 
he  is  a  sovereign,  and  where  all  places  of  honor  and 
trust  are  open  for  honest  competition.  You  teach 
me  that  this  is  the  poor  man's  war.  You  identify 
yourself  t with  the  rich  man,  and  seek  to  make  me  aid 
your  cause  by  arguments  drawn  from  abuses  of  your 
own  side.  You  fight  for  aristocracy ;  you  fight 
against  popular  government.     We  fight  for  the  rule 


COTTON   STEALING.  207 

of  the  poor  man  at  the  ballot-box,  for  the  rule  of  the 
majority." 

''  The  rule  of  the  majority !"  repeated  La  Scheme. 
"  Damn  the  majority  ! — the  most  detestable  rule  on 
earth.  It  never  expresses  the  will  of  either  party. 
Generally  a  small  minority,  an  organization,  society, 
clan  of  voters,  on  the  eve  of  a  closely  contested 
election,  have  power,  by  deserting  and  joining,  or 
by  mere  union  with  either  party,  to  carry  the  day. 
This  faction  is  controlled  by  an  idea,  embodied  in  re- 
presentative men — and  these  men  have  their  price. 
When  they  are  bought  they  become  masters,  or  are 
made  slaves.  The  balance  of  power  is  the  will  of 
the  majority — the  hardest  task-master  ever  born  ;  it 
has  ruined  this  country.  ^Ye  held  it  until  political 
changes  threw  the  abolitionists  into  the  scale,  and 
forced  us  to  choose  between  freedom  and  the  damn- 
ing rule  of  a  contemptible  posse  of  fanatics." 

"  Sir,  this  trial  of  free  institutions  which  you  pro- 
nounce a  failure,  I  conceive  to  be  a  .success.  The 
question  at  issue  is  the  ability  of  men — comm  m  poor 
trash,  to  elevate  themselves,  to  govern  them.-  dves,  to 
be  independent — to  be  free.  The  test  imposed  upon 
it  by  your  secession,  by  your  rebellion,  is  the  most 
severe  possible.  If  it  stands — if  you  fail — and  I 
believe  you  will,  then  Europe,  and  all  the  people  of 
the  world,  will  imitate  our  example.  I  think  your 
argument  is,  that  wealth  must  be  concentrated,  and 
must  govern,  whether  in  a  republic  or  a  monarchy. 
Permit  me  to  refer  again  to  my  dear,  dead  father. 
He  taught  me  that  a  parent's  best  gift  was  an  educa- 


208  COTTON  STEALING. 

tion,  a  trained  mind,  qualified  to  fight  the  ^vorld  and 
win  victories  in  the  same  path  he  has  trod  with 
honor  and  success. .  He  taught  me  that  every  man 
of  abundant  means  should  lay  out  his  surplus  wealth 
in  the  channels  adapted  to  benefit  his  fallow  men. 
This  is  the  royal'  prerogative  of  a  free  man.  The 
truest  patriot,  the  best  Christian,  is  he  who,  having 
well  provided  for  his  own,  wisely  scatters  the  abund- 
ance of  his  prosperity  in  assisting  his  fellow  men. 
You  have  referred  to  ancient  republics.  Rome  per- 
ished because  her  wealthy  citizens,  without  royal 
prerogative,  became  aristocrats,  and  aristocracy  is 
the  stepping-stone  for  unlimited  selfishness,  identical 
with  unlimited  monarchy.  She  had  no  time  Christ- 
ianity, and  no  true  Christian  benevolence,  no  chari- 
table institutions,  and  no  self-sacrifice." 

"  Corporal,  you  come  on  religion.  Here  you,  too, 
are  wrong.  Religion  is  the  .  child  of  weakness. 
Strength  is  self-reliant.  No  man  seeks  God's  aid 
until  he  is  helpless. 

''  Men  of  keen  insight,  thousands  of  years  before 
Christ  was  born,  in  their  studies  for  dominion,  found 
that  permanent  government  must  rest  on  power  and 
weakness:  power  in  the  king,  weakness  among  the 
people.  In  order  to  perpetuate  their  dominion,  they 
made  close  study  of  mental  weakness,  and  found 
superstition,  upon  which  they  constructed  with  all 
the  ability  of  great  thinkers,  the  present  superstruc- 
ture of  religion.  They  united  church  and  state ; 
controlled  the  sensitive  (conscience)  weakness  of  hu- 
manity ;  condensed   the  atoms  (men  and  women")  of 


COTTON    STEALING.  209 

power,  bj  laws  of  crystalization  (military  and  civil 
laws),  formed  Titanic  mountains  of  minerals  (king- 
doms, empires,  aijd  aristocracies.)  They  learned 
that  the  strong  point  of  power  lay  in  controlling  the 
element  of  feebleness  in  the  subject,  and,  after  care- 
ful study,  formed  systems  which  we  recognize  as 
religion.  The  Chinese  savants  have  the  system  of 
Confucius.  The  Sanscrit  the  Budist,  and  Brahmic 
belong  to  southern  Asia.  Greece  and  Rome  each 
had  their  superstition ;  while  the  Jews  had  patri- 
archs and  wise  men,  who,  from  association  with 
Arabic  and  Egyptian  sages,  and  with  the  wisest  men 
of  China  and  India,  sequestered,  stole,  and  simpli- 
fied principles  and  theories  of  law,  until  they  had 
the  greatest  number  of  eternal  axioms,  and,  so  far, 
the  system  nearest  perfection.  Then  that  peculiar 
genius,  Jesus  Christ^who  stands  to  morals  as  Shake- 
speare to  literature,  and  Blackstone  to  law — pre- 
sented his  system  of  morals,  which  the  high  educa- 
tion of  our  civilization  prefers  to  the  more  incomplete 
and  more  unscientific  schemes  of  unskilled  thinkers. 
'*  You  have  imbibed  the  false  notions  of  progress 
in  religion,  and  have  not  attained  to  freedom.  There 
is  a  spiritual  idea  beyond  your  Bible  system,  which 
will  some  day  take  its  place.  But  for  common,  ig- 
norant people,  I  prefer  the  Roman  Catholic.  It  has 
a  centralization  of  power  formed  by  the  experience 
of  the  most  astute,  sagacious  minds.  It  never  dies ; 
has  a  single  policy ;  brings  forth  rulers  as  a  mother 
babes  ;  suckles  them  with  her  ideas,  bathes  them  in 
her  principles,  schools  them  apart  from  humanity, 
14 


210  COTTON    STEALING. 

until  they  grow  up  bone  of  her  bone  and  flesh  of 
her  flesh.  Whoever  comes  in  power,  the  church  is 
always  the  same — permanent,  reliable,  irresistable." 

"  Mr.  La  Scheme,  I  see  clearly  that  you  do  not 
believe  in  that  which  is  a  great  consolation  to  me — 
the  Christian  religion  as  a  divine  institution,  in  Je- 
sus Christ  as  the  Son  of  God.  I  beheve  this  as 
firmly  as  I  believe  in  my  personal  identity.  What 
the  world  needs  more  than  all  else,  is  self-sacrifice. 
I  put  my  principles  in  practice — I  give  my  life  for 
my  country.  Heaven  sent  the  great  Example,  who 
died  a  felon's  death  to  give  eternal  life  and  salvation 
to  those  who  deserve  no  mercy.  Since  the  crucifix- 
ion, no  one,  hating  service,  has  been  truly  great. 
Loving  sacrifice  must  characterize  our  public  men. 
Ambition,  in  president,  secretary,  or  judge,  must  be 
second  to  right,  justice,  and  country.  The  senator 
must  sacrifice  his  self-motors ;  so  the  representative, 
so  the  soldier,  so  too,  the  sailor.  Men — all  men, 
public  and  private — must  be  willing  to  do  right  be- 
cause it  is  right ;  must  go  forward  and  do,  in  the  face 
of  frowns,  true  duty  ;  perform  the  acts  of  statesmen 
and  patriots,  tested  by  a  standard  of  heaven-born 
purity,  by  a  criterion  of  honor  keen  in  its  distinc- 
tions as  the  eye  of  an  impartial  justice." 

"  That's  all  fine  philosophy.  I  do  not  disagree ; 
but  I  tell  you  it  is  impossible.  It  is  mere  theory; 
practice  disowns  its  possibility.  We  have  tried  the 
experiment  and  failed.  The  Confederacy  is  attempt- 
ing to  save  itself,  in  the  wreck,  by  an  early  return 
to  that  form  of  government  which  has  withstood  the 


COTTON   STEALING.  211 

convulsions  of  ages.  I  have  treated  you  with  the 
utmost  kindness  for  Leette's  sake,  and  desire  now  to 
come  distinctly  to  the  point.  Will  you  accept  my 
offer  ?  Throw  in  your  lot  with  the  South,  and  be- 
come one  of  us  ?  " 

"  I  think  your  system  of  government  -would  soon 
become  an  unlimited  monarchy — a  despotism.  Your 
president,  Jefiferson  Davis,  is  a  tyrannical  man,  and 
manifests  that  character  which  would  honor  any  des- 
pot. All  he  lacks  is  opportunity.  He  is  the  only 
man  for  the  crisis,  which  I  understand  to  be  a  relapse 
into  barbarism." 

"  Jefferson  Davis  is  not  the  only  man  for  the  cri- 
sis. He  is  only  an  incarnate  embodiment  of  the 
secession  idea.  Every  such  embodiment  is  a  Jeffer- 
son Davis.  Any  man  or  woman  who  has  intellect  to 
comprehend  the  bottom  thought,  to  perceive  the  un- 
derlying principle — the  adamantine  foundation  of 
the  superstructure,  to  whose  erection  this  war  is  but 
an  obstacle,  and  also,  when  finished,  an  evidence  of 
success — is  a  confederate  ;  give  him  like  will,  energy, 
pluck,  nerve,  and  brain,  and  he  is  a  Jefferson  Davis. 
Our  great  president  is  only  a  representative  man. 
The  lobby  members  would  fill  his  place,  were  he  to 
die.  "We  permit  him  to  exercise  despotic  power  be- 
cause we  believe  in  it.  The  tyranny  of  a  firm  will 
acting  in  accordance  with  our  principles,  even  in  mis- 
takes, is  preferable  a  thousand  times  to  the  vacilla- 
ting indecision  dependent  on  delegated  power.  Are 
you  satisfied?  " 

"  Not  yet.     I  thank  you  for  candor.     I  am  under 


212  COTTON   STEALING. 

obligations  for  your  frankness.  If  I  accept  your 
proposition,  I  must  understand  all  I  undertake.  It 
is  a  question  among  us  whether,  by  the  progress  of 
this  war,  an  end  is  not  put  to  slavery.  In  your  new 
empire  slavery  will  be  dead.'' 

"  Do  not  take  that  flattering  unction  to  your  soul. 
As  long  as  a  man  in  the  South  struggles  for  South- 
ern independence,  the  soul  of  slavery  lives.  We  are 
seceding  because  the  North  threatened  our  institu- 
tion of  slavery.  A  principle  of  government  is 
involved.  The  few  have  a  right  to  sell  the  many, 
whether  black  or  white.  Servitude  is  necessarily 
involuntary.  England  is  full  of  white  slaves. 
France,  Germany,  and  Russia  are  full  of  white 
slaves.'  Your  Northern  mechanics  are  white  slaves  ; 
your  capitalists  slaveholders.  We  believe  in  the 
thing ;  you  disbelieve,  and  act  as  we  do.  We  see  no 
difference  in  black  and  white  slavery,  and  know  that 
capital  has  a  right  to  own  labor.  We  are  honest ; 
you  are  hypocrites.  We  call  things  by  true  names ; 
you  cover  vile  acts  like  a  whited  sepulchre.  Slavery 
cannot  die  until  we  are  destroyed.  With  our  suc- 
cess it  succeeds.  When  we  have  conquered  the 
North,  we  shall  be  the  strongest  nation  in  the  world. 
The  North  fears  us  ;  the  whole  worlds  fears  you. 
We  shall  teach  them  the  true  principle  of  their  own 
government,  and  both  they  and  we  will  control  labor 
and  laboring  men.  We  shall  have  as  many  slaves  as 
we  wish ;  for  poor  whites  will  be  slaves.  You  see 
now  what  is  before  you. 

If  slavery  is  right  at  all,  white  slavery  and  black 


COTTON  STEALING.  2l3 

slavery  are  identical.     Mind  has  no  color,  memory 
has  no  color,  judgment,  reason,  have  no  color.     Who 
knows  but  that  color  to  the  Almighty  eye  is  so  finely 
marked,    that    no    two    beings    are   white  or  black. 
White,  brunette,  brown,  copper,  yellow,  dark,  black, 
advancing  as  some  minerals,  from  transparent  crys- 
tal through  white  by  insensible  degrees  to  opaque  and 
to  black.     Infinite  purity  alone  is  spotless.     Our  eye 
condemns  the  black  because  it  sees  our  own   skin 
white.     God  pities    our  impurity.     Men  with  white 
faces  have  black  souls.     Purity,  chastity,  love,  do  not 
shine   through  the    outside  covering— [else  Leette 
would  have   spat  on  La  Scheme   as  a  Moor,  darker 
than   Othello  of   Venice].     Villainy,  lust,  hate,  re- 
venge, do  not   show  black   beneath  Caucassian  fea^ 
tures.     Skin   has  no   influence  on  the  heart.      God 
made  white  men,  with  different  qualities  and  quanti- 
ties of  brain,  and  capacity  of  brain  development— all 
endowed  with  an  infinity  of  future  increase.     There 
are  white  men  whose  groveling  instincts,   and  igno- 
rance, put  them  next  neighbors  to  beasts— white  men 
whose  affections,   or  absence  of   affection,   develope 
consanguinity  with  the  fallen  lost,  the  demon  of  hell 
Love  is  love,  hate  is  hate:  each  has  characteristic 
manifestations.     Size  of   a  fist  changes  no  title  of 
the  quantity  and   quality  of  these  attributes  of  the 
heart ;  no  more  does  the  color  of  that  fist ;  neither 
does  the  color  of  the  body.     A  warm  heart  may  ex- 
ist in  a  casing  of  charcoal,  copper,  or  bronze,  or  sil- 
ver.    Whiteness    of    snow    cannt)t    warm    a    marble 
heart.     Equality  of  a  nigger  to  a  white  man  !     No 


214  COTTON  STEALING. 

white  man  is  the  equal  of  his  white  brother,  side  by 
side  though  they  stand,  unless  the  mind,  head,  and 
heart  are  similarly  developed. 

[In  the  winter  of  '63  thousands  of  hogs  Avere  frozen 
to  death  by  the  intensely  cold  week  after  Christmas 
and  New  Years.  Were  they  consigned  to  the  dung- 
hill ?  No  I  Hams  and  shoulders  were .  cured  from 
them  for  our  soldiers,  and  the  remainder  tried  for 
lard.  A  white  man,  a  rich  man,  lovely  wife,  beau- 
tiful daughters,  to  be  degraded  by  the  contamination 
of  a  colored  clergyman  who  brought  a  2000  dollar 
gift  to  the  Sanitary  Fair  for  sick  and  wounded  sol- 
diers, because  the  equality  of  the  races  would  there- 
by be  acknowleged  !  Is  a  government  contractor,  a 
white  man,  who  cures  frozen  hogs,  or  any  other  shod- 
dyite,  better  than  the  blackest  of  the  black,  when  his 
''limed  soul"  hesitates  no  single  moment  to  make 
money  on  any  article,  in  any  way  which  uselessly  sa- 
crifices the  life  of  a  gallant  soldier  ?  Dust  to  dust, 
ashes  to  ashes ;  the  soul  washed  by  the  blood  of  Je- 
sus is  white.  Whatever  God  may  do  in  regard  to 
color  in  heaven,  there  is  a  place  prepared  for  souls 
dyed  by  such  deeds.     Thank  God  there  is  a  hell!] 

James  Manet  listened  with  the  same  quiet  expres- 
sion which  misled  La  Scheme  from  the  first.  He  an- 
swered in  as  quiet  unchanged  a  tone  : 

"  Before  this  war  commenced  I  knew  nothing  of 
slavery,  cared  nothing  for  abolitionism.  I  was,  I 
am,  a  Union  man.  I  knew  of  slavery  nothing  un- 
til I  volunteered.  You  are  teaching  me  to  hate  the 
institution  so  bitterly,  that  if  I  continue,  I  shall  be 


COTTON  STEALING.  216 

more  rabid  than  the  most  radical.  You  desire  to 
destroy  a  free  government,  to  take  from  American 
citizens  the  privilege  of  managing  their  own  govern- 
ment, and  create  an  aristocracy.  All  this  for  the 
sake  of  slavery.  Sir,  I  hate  it  because  you  love  it, 
because  it  aids  you  to  fight  us — because  you  used  it 
as  a  subterfuge  to  deceive  and  mislead  your  own  com- 
mon people,  to  cloak  your  treasonable  designs.  I 
have  not  been  an  abolitionist,  but  I  will  be  from  this 
time  forth,  because,  by  taking  your  servant,  we  re- 
duce your  aristocratic  men  and  women  to  the  simple 
laboring  citizen,  put  them  on  the  level  of  plow,  hoe, 
churn,  and  wash-tub.  I  wish  to  see  every  slave  taken 
from  your  Confederacy,  thereby  taking  bacon  from 
your  smoke-house,  corn  from  your  crib,  and  starving 
your  commissariat.  When  negroes  fight,  their  mas- 
ters must  fight  and  work  too.  You  know  how  to 
fight,  but  not  to  work  ;  you  will  fight  and  starve. 
Starvation  is  just  punishment  for  the  crime  of  trea- 
son to  free  institutions." 

"Leette,"  said  La  Scheme  turning  toward  her, 
"  Do  you  see  I  was  right  ?  For  your  sake  I  leave  no 
stone  unturned.  Corporal  I  have  use  for  such  a  man 
as  you.  I  told  you  I  could  make  you  very  rich  ;  this 
promise  is  not  an  idle  word.  I  have  within  my  con- 
trol an  immense  business  in  cotton  which  will  make  a 
thousand  men  independently  rich.  If  you  will  con- 
sent to  be  my  agent,  to  act  in  secret,  in  conjunction 
with  me,  I  will  insure  your  fortune,  more  money  than 
you  can  make  by  a  life-time  of  labor  in  the  North. 
I   will   even   promise    more.      You   shall   not   come 


216  COTTON  STEALING. 

South,  nor  join  our  Confederacy,  except  your  judg- 
ment, your  free  choice,  shall  move  you  to  do  so." 

"  Mr.  La  Scheme,  it  is  very  easy  for  you  to  speak 
these  words.  I  am  not  blind  to  the  importance  of 
the  promises  you  make.  I  know  how  sternly  diffi- 
cult it  is  to  resist  temptation.  I  do  resist,  I  refuse 
your  tempting  offer.  Every  man  worthy  to  be  a 
citizen  of  this  free  republic,  ought  to  be  above  bribes, 
ought  to  have  a  spirit  pure.  Mine  may  have  had 
leaning  to  wrong,  had  evil  thoughts,  spoken  wrong 
words,  but  in  action  I  am  yet  pure.  I  choose  so  to 
continue.  I  am  satisfied  a  time  will  come,  is  coming, 
when  free  men  will  be  pure  men,  good  men,  Chris- 
tians in  holy  honor,  in  honest  business,  in  sacred 
home-life.     It  will  come." 

"  No,  sir.  Never !  never !  Man  cannot  reach 
this  state  you  imagine.  In  all  the  thousand  years 
of  the  past,  he  has  failed.  The  future  is  to  be  as 
the  past,  and  the  part  of  wisdom  is  to  care  for  your- 
self in  the  general  ruin.  If  you  do  not  care  for 
yourself  no  other  one  will." 

"  The  difference  between  us,  sir,  is  radical.  You 
do  not  believe  in  the  elevation  of  human  beings  as  a 
race.  Your  system  is  founded  on  the  degradation  of 
fallen  humanity.  I  acknowledge  the  justness  of  your 
conclusions  on  your  premises.  The  reasoning  is 
correct.  But  I  believe  in  the  ^pdemption  of  the  hu- 
man race.  I  believe  in  Jesus  as  a  Savior,  I  believe 
men  can  repent  and  reform,  can  be  pure,  full  of 
justice,  equity,  and  truth. 

**  Mankind,  irrespective  of  color  can  become  Christ- 
# 


COTTON  STEALING.  217 

ians,  and  act  on  the  golden  principle — Do  as  you 
would  have  others  do.  A  republic  can  be  composed 
of  Christians,  or  so  large  a  majority  actuated  by  the 
principles  of  Christian  morality,  as  to  be  what  you 
deny. 

"  Again,  I  believe  in  a  Holy  Spirit,  ruling  in  the 
hearts  of  men.  There  have  been  times  when  I  lost 
faith,  when  ruin  seemed  to  overwhelm  our  cause  and 
our  country.  Out  of  that  darkness  it  came  triumph- 
ant. I  recognize  a  power  you  cannot  understand, 
an  over-ruling  hand  in  which  I  trust.  I  may  die, 
God  lives.  You  may  kill  us  by  thousands  ;  he  who 
holds  the  hearts  of  men  will  not  permit  you  to  con- 
quer.    He  is  teaching " 

The  world  is  a  school  house,  men  and  women 
scholars.  The  teacher  is  experience,  dealt  with  a 
governing  Providence,  and  progress  is  marked  by 
revolution. 

"  the  people  of  the  world  a  lesson  through  you 

and  me.    When  we  have  well  learned,  war  will  cease." 

"I  shall  never  learn." 

"  You  may  be  taught  by  death.  No  man  ever 
stopped  the  lightning.  God  moves  the  storm. 
Where  rests  the  power  of  your  arm  to  stop  a  cannon 
ball  ?  When  God  moves  the  world,  do  you  expect  it 
will  stay  its  progress  because  your  will  says  '  No  '  ? 
Your  argument  is  the  argument  of  despotism,  my 
faith,  that  of  freedom.  My  argument  may  not  con- 
vince you ;  but  I  believe,  I  feel,  I  know  you  will 
fail.  I  have  faith  in  human  progress,  have  hope  for 
the  human  race.     God  is  at  work.     In  our  moment 


218  COTTON  STEALING. 

of  success,  jou  will  find  failure.  When  we  fail,  out 
of  our  misfortune  will  come  success.  God  is  for  us." 
"  That  is  bosh  for  the  man  who  believes  there  is 
no  God.  Come,  Leette,  have  I  not  done  mj  part  ? 
You  shall  be  more  successful." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

"  What  a  good  Confederate  that  Yankee  would 
have  made,  had  he  only  been  born  South !  "  said  La 
Scheme  when  they  were  alone. 

"  He  has  the  best  blood  in  his  veins.  His  ances- 
tors fought  in  the  Revolution,"  says  Leette. 

"  Oh,  Leette,  you  do  like  this  Yankee  !  " 

"  Suppose  I  do,  better  than  any  I  ever  have  seen. 
How  much  is  that  ?  He  is  not  a  coward ;  speaks  his 
mind,  cost  what  it  may ;  has  often  spoken  to  me  what 
made  me  mad  afterwards ;  for  I  never  once  per- 
ceived its  extent  while  he  was  talking." 

"  Well,  well,  you  have  taken  a  fancy.  You  may 
turn  him  to  our  side.  I  cannot.  He  talks  well. 
Do  not  fall  too  much  in  love  with  him.  .  I  leave  him 
to  you  ;  for  I  go  away  to-morrow.  When  I  come 
back  I  will  decide  what  to  do  with  him." 

"  You  going  to-morrow  !  Where  and  why  ?  Can 
you  not  stay  and  rest  a  moment  ?  " 

"  Rest  before  I  am  weary  ?  Rest,  when  I  see  the 
only  chance  for  the  Confederacy  in  my  hands  ?  No. 
This  is  the  golden  opportunity.    The  Board  of  Trade, 


220  COTTON    STEALING. 

the  Treasury  officials,  and  the  Army  officers  are 
deeply  concerned  in  cotton  stealing.  Sandison  is 
there.  I  saw  him.  1  know  him  of  old,  and  I  can 
do  anything  I  please  with  him.  I  [thw  liar  !]  needed 
to  know  one  fact.  This  Yankee — how  glad  I  am  I 
saved  his  life  ! — has,  thanks  to  you,  revealed  it. 
Sandison  is  in  cahoot  with.  General  Solenter, 
through  his  future  son-in-law,  the  Adjutant  General 
— this  explains  my  old  chum's  successful  business. 
I  did  not  expect  this.  I  can  hardly  restrain  my 
joy.  They  are  all  politicians,  susceptible  to  a  con- 
sideration. I  shall  make  them  believe  me  a  cotton 
thief,  speculating  for  a  fortune ;  and,  without  their 
knowledge,  use  them  to  their  destruction.  The 
opening  is   too   good  to  be  neglected." 

"  Let  me  go  with  you.  It  is  lonely  when  you  are 
away — so  v-e-r-y  1-o-n-e-l-y  I  I  endured  your  long 
delay  because  of  your  request  to  win  this  Yankee's 
love.  You  are  unkind  to  think  that  I  could  forget 
for  one  moment.  Send  him  to  Richmond  to-morrow, 
to-day ;  but  do  not  leave  me ;  or,  if  you  must  go, 
take  me." 

"  Perhaps  it  will  be  well." 

''  When  shall  we  send  him  away?  " 

"Not  yet.  I  may  be  able  to  use  him.  Let  him 
remain  until  our  return.  How  many  bales  of  cotton 
have  you  ?     How  many  have  you  burned  ?  " 

"  Five  hundred  after  they  took  Memphis.  I  have 
one  hundred  and  fifty  in  the  cane,  and  there  are  a 
thousand  bales  of  Confederate  States  Cotton  back 
from  the  slough." 


COTTON    STEALING.  221 

*' Are  they  marked  ? "' 

"Yes.  C.  S.  A.  on  the  heads.  I  gave  them  to 
the  government  to  secure  the  foreign*  loa^." 

"  I  -wish  they  were  safe  in  New  York,  and  the 
money  in  the  hands  of  our  Committee.  Leette,  if 
you  only  had  all  your  own  well  sold,  you  would  be 
worth  a  quarter  of  a  million  in  gold.  What  folly  to 
burn  a  pound  !  What  a  mistake  !  Leette,  you  shall 
not  lose  everything.  You  may  go  with  me.  But, 
Leette,  1  am  a  Union  man  within  the  Federal  lines. 
Until  you  have  taken  the  oath  —  " 

'^Must  I  take  that  oath?" 

That  iron-clad  oath  !  Which  sounds  loudest  in  the 
ear  of  the  recording  angel — the  spoken  words  of  the 
Union  officer,  who  repeats  the  comprehensive  words 
to  which  the  indignant,  hot-eyed,  red-faced  chooser 
of  two  evils  simply  nods  ;  or  that  inward  hope,  wish, 
prayer,  curse,  bursting  out  of  the  heart-passion  on 
the  wings  of  a  long  breath,  entering  eternity  with 
this  definition  :  "I  have  sworn.  If  I  keep  the  oath 
may  I  be  damned  !  " 

"A  thousand  times,  Leette.  I  have,  and  am  none 
the  worse.  The  Federals  know  me  as  a  good  Union 
man."  These  words  came  from  La  Scheme's  lips 
with  a  hiss.  "  I  do  not  associate  with  rebels  inside 
of  their  lines.  I  should  not  go  near  you  until  you 
are  Union.  Never  recognize  me.  If  you  are  intro- 
duced, treat  me  as  a  stranger  or  beneath  your  notice. 
We  must  not  know  each  other  at  first,  that  we  may 
most  aid  our  success." 

"Where  shall  I  stay?     When  shall  I  see  you? 


222  '  COTTON   STEALING. 

What  shall  I  do  ?  " 

"  Stop  with  your  friend,  the  Judge." 

"  They  ar^  Union." 

"  The  very  place.  Their  daughters  are  true.  Be- 
sides, you  must  mislead  even  them.  In  the  delicate 
business  in  which  we  are  engaged,  one's  own  friends 
cannot  be  relied  on, — should  be  trusted  only  in  ex- 
tremity. Deceive  your  own,  and  your  enemy  must 
b6  double  sharp  to  see  what  a  friend  fails  to  discover. 
Act  like  an  enemy,  so  as  to  be  hated  by  a  friend ; 
you  may  save  life, — may  save  your  country.  I  can- 
not tell  when  I  shall  meet  you ;  nor  what  there  will 
be  to  do.  Yes  ;  you  may  sell  your  cotton.  Not 
much ;  begin  with  five  bales, — do  not  offer  more. 
Can  you  sell  five  bales  ?  " 

*'I  know  I  can." 

"  I  must  go  and  see  our  captain,  who  saw  me 
through  the  Helena  affair.  I  have  business  and  in- 
structions for  him.     Be  ready  to  go  when  I  return." 

"  Yes ;  and  I  will  say  good-bye  to  my  Yankee 
husband.  I  must  hide  him  out  of  the  captain's 
way.  I  should  never  see  him  again  if  his  men  took 
him  prisoner  a  second  time." 

She  went  out  to  see  the  corporal,  and  La  Scheme, 
shaking  his  head,  said  after  her  departure,  ^'  Leette, 
Leette,  you  have  too  much  heart.  That  good  soul 
of  yours  has  too  much  love.  I  must  crush  it  out ; 
must  set  it  on  fire  with  the  demoniac  which  lies  in 
your  nature.  That  Yankee  is  too  true,  too  pure, 
and  must  be  removed.  The  captain  will  see  that 
done.     I  have  delicate  work  before  me.     What  can 


COTTON   STEALING.  223 

I  do  ?  Wait, —  let  events  decide  and  interpret 
them ;  lead  others  to  the  meaning  I  would  have 
them  believe.  Oh,  what  a  glorious  power  I — to  see 
into,  read  through,  the  souls  of  others.  I  know 
men ;  I  anticipate  their  words.  If  I  only  had  op- 
portunity, I  could  direct  this  war,  govern  this  new 
empire,  and  succeed, — which  is  more  than  I  believe 
Jeiferson  Davis  will  do.  What  a  confounded  fool  he 
makes  of  himself  sometimes  !  "  With  a  brain  teem- 
ing with  such  thoughts  and  ideas.  La  Scheme  went 
out  from  Leette  to  seek  the  headquarters  of  the 
guerilla  chieftain. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

The  guerilla  band  was  a  motley  mixtWe.  Few 
made  more  than  pretentions  to  a  uniform.  They 
possessed  a  marked  uniformity  in  one  particular — 
dirt.  Originally,  their  garments  had  been  white : 
that  is,  white  as  the  cotton  fibre  carded  by  the  coarse 
hand-cards  of  the  negroes ;  spun  by  their  coarse 
fingers  into  coarse  yarn  which  had  been  coarsely 
woven  by  a  coarsely  constructed  loom,  and  then  cut 
and  sewed  by  a  coarse  needle,  without  bleaching 
or  other  finishing  process, — white  as  such  unwashed, 
hasty  construction  could  produce.  Some  boasted  a 
slightly  increased  finish,  being  the  addition  of  a 
tawny,  butternut  color,  from  a  decoction  of  oak,  wal- 
nut, or  other  bark.  This  uniform  possessed  the  essen- 
tial quality,  durability ;  already  outlasting  any  ma- 
chine manufacture,  and  promising  shelter  from  rain, 
and  sunshine,  night  and  storm,  for  more  than  one 
season  to  come.  Night  as  well  as  day-dress,  blanket 
as  well  as  over-coat,  duster  in  the  thick  clouds  of  a 
skedaddle,  tent  in  the  hasty,  improvised  bivouac  of 
the  canebrake ;  accustomed  to  the  floor  of  the  log 


COTTON   STEALINa.  225 

cabin,  the  plantation  mansion,  the  slave's  quarters, 
or  the  baked  soil — not  the  stony,  sandy  New  Eng- 
land, not  the  rich,  black  alluvium  of  Connecticut's 
meadows,  not  Western  prairie,  but  the  red  oxide  of 
the  corroded  Arkansas,  or  the  turbid  mud  whicli 
melting  torrents  of  the  big  Muddy  has  laid  in  layers 
throughout  the  lower  Mississippi  bottoms.  In  this 
respect,  all  the  regulars  were  regularly  uniformed. 

Another  staking  uniformity  of  the  Tom,  Dick,  and 
Harry  of  this  wild  region,  is  vice.  Lazy,  ruffianly 
men,  who  eat  whisky,  drink  whisky,  live  on  whisky 
when  they  can  get  it,  on  its  substitute,  corn,  when 
they  can  not.  Scum  of  both  armies,  with  all  a  sol- 
dier's faults,  with  none  of  his  virtues.  Thieves,  who 
would  plunder,  though  at  the  risk  of  life.  Brave 
devils,  who  had  the  blood  of  murders  coafT^ulatino^  on 
their  souls,  boasting  in  the  exploit,  and  calloused  to 
remorse,  exulting  in  their  wolf-hyena-life  ;  carrion 
birds,  not  all  buzzard,  since  they  had  degenerated 
from  the  eagle;  possessing  all  the  ferocity  of  the  one, 
while  they  digested  all  meat  of  friend  or  foe,  with  the 
horrible  appetite  of  the  other.  This  is  the  genuine 
guerilla. 

Another  part  of  this  band,  gave  it  dignity  and 
character.  These  were  planters.  Every  citizen  was 
enrolled  with  the  proper  authority,  and  assigned  to 
the  commanding  officer,  who  had  power  to  order  them 
into  active  service.  They  called  themselves  home 
guards.  Plantations,  slaves,  and  families  could  not 
be  left  absolutely  manless.  Some  must  oversee  the 
labor  which  produced  the  subsistence  for  the  ariiiv  in 
15 


226  COTTON   STEALING. 

the  field  and  the  people  at  home.  Yet,  all  must  be 
organized  for  self-defence  and  personal  protection. 
The  captain,  major,  or  colonel,  generally  knew  his 
section,  gleaned  the  poor,  and  desperate  with  whom 
he  engaged  in  the  active  duties  of  conscripting,  and 
waged  the  common  guerilla  warfare ;  while  he  favored 
the  rich,  granting  them  exemptions,  and  never  called 
them  save  on  important  occasions,  when  numbers 
were  essential,  or  their  presence  was  necessary  to  in- 
spirit or  to  check  the  regular  band,  which  went  into 
danger,  took  the  heavy  blows,  and  were  of  no  par- 
ticular account  if  they  were  killed. 

On  this  occasion,  notice  of  an  expedition  from 
above,  had  been  received  and  transmitted  by  South- 
ern sympathizers.  The  captain  had  ordered  every 
man  in  his  company  to  meet  at  this  place,  armed. 

Rapidity  of  communication  among  a  united  peo- 
ple, even  in  remote  and  sparsely  populated  districts, 
is  marvelous.  In  this  section  of  the  South  it  was 
conducted  by  women.  The  news  was  obtained  from 
headquarters  by  the  means  of  secret  emissaries — pro- 
slavery  men  who  visited  the  saloons  and  offices,  and 
learned  from  clerks,  with  most  unexplainable  facil- 
ity, every  movement ;  men,  so  well  posted,  that  they 
could  guess  all  they  could  not  buy  with  the  official 
seal  and  stamp  affixed.  A  plate  of  butter,  a  load  of 
wood,  a  harmless  female,  conveyed  the  word  outside 
the  lines.  Southern  women  ride  on  horse-back. 
Once  on  horseback,  by  short  cuts — devious  paths  in 
swamps  and  canebrakes ;  tracks  on  the  levee,  when 
direct ;  by  dry  beds  of  streams  :  by  the  public  road, 


COTTON    STEALING.  227 

if  near  and  safe — girls,  young  boys,  old  men,  car- 
ried the  report  fast  as  animals  could  go ;  so  that,  it 
was  often  said,  no  boat  could  leave  Cairo,  Illinois, 
without  her  name,  character,  cargo,  destination,  and 
number  of  troops,  proceeding  faster  than  steam,  in- 
forming all  the  bands  by  telegraph. 

Leette  was  a  carrier.  Iler  Janie  stood  waiting  in 
the  stall,  sure-footed,  fleet ;  dark  night  or  broad  noon 
made  no  change  in  her  swift  passage  through  deer 
and  bear  tracks  to  the  station,  whence  another  took 
the  news,  good  or  bad,  direct  to  rebel  headquarters. 

The  guerilla  band  were  gathering  when  La  Scheme 
reached  the  captain's  rendezvous.  Before  he  arrived, 
loud  tones  of  a  revelling  son^  reached  his  ears. 
First  came  the  chorus  : 

*'  Drink,  men  drink, 

0  drink  your  fill  to-day ; 
For  life  is  bonny,  and  love  is  sweet, 
And  fighting  is  our  play." 

"When  the  cotton  speculator  rode  up,  and  was 
recognized,  a  guerilla,  sitting  astride  of  a  barrel  of 
old  Bourbon  whisky,  raised  up  a  tin  pot  and  roared 
out  the  following  stanza : 

**  Oh  wine  was  made  for  boys  and  women, — 
Old  Bourbon  is  the  drink  for  men  ; 
WTien  balls  and  bullets  come  a  whizzing, 
Give  us  old  Bourbon  then." 

He  repeated  the  last  line  and  then  took  a  big 
swallow  and  passed  the  pannikin,  which  the   other 


228  COTTON   STEALING. 

guerillas  took,  imitating  his  swallow,  and  then  joined 
in  the  roaring  chorus  : 

"  Drink,  men,  drink, 

Oh  drink  your  fill  to-day ; 
For  life  is  bonny,  and  love  is  sweet, 
And  fighting  is  our  play." 

"  Empty  it  but,  boys,  and  pass  it  round."  It 
came  back  to  the  king  of  the  revels,  who  drew  a 
spigot,  from  whence  spirted  the  precious  liquor. 
''Nevermind  the  canteen.  Second  verse."  Then, 
raising  his  tin  goblet,  sang  : 

"  Oh  peace  was  made  for  girls  and  women, — 
War,  stern  old  war,  was  made  for  men ; 
When  on  the  battle-field  we're  charging, 
Give  us  old  Bourbon  then." 

Just  then  a  black  servant  came  out  of  the  log 
shanty  with  a  broken  pitcher  to  be  filled  from  the 
common  stock.  The  non-commissioned  ofiicer,  who 
had  the  same  in  charge,  put  the  full  dish  to  the  ne- 
gro's mouth,  spilling  the  liquor  down  his  throat  and 
over  his  big  thick  lips,  while  the  band  yelled  out : 

"  Drink,  men,  drink, 

Oh  drink  your  fill  to-day ; 
For  life  is  bonny,  and  love  is  sweet, 
And  fighting  is  our  play." 

The  men  passed  the  can  again.  There  was  a  cer- 
tain method  about  the  whole  of  this  revel ;  a  sort  of 
restraint,  mixed  with  a  peculiar  license,  which  was 


COTTON    STEALING.  229* 

inn\illing  to  get  drunk,  though  quite  ready  to  he 
anything  but  sober.  Short  drinks  and  quick  turns 
seemed  in  order.  This  hindered  the  darky,  who 
was  awaited  impatiently,  and  called  from  the  shanty. 

"  Coming,  sar,"  he  answered. 

Yet  the  men  were  in  no  particular  hurry,  and  the 
slave  had  to  await  their  half-drunken  convenience. 
The  captain — master — came  to  the  door,  ^  angry  at 
detention :  saw  the  new  arrival,  and  instantly  called 
La  Scheme.  As  they  went  into  the  house  the  song 
broke  out  again  : 

**  Old  Bourbon  whisky's  made  in  heaven ; 
Old  Bourbon  is  the  drink  for  men. 
Drink  Bourbon  whisky  while  we're  living; 
Dead— drink  old  Bourbon  then." 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  La  Scheme.  You  arc  the  man 
we  want.  We  are  to  have  a  stirring  time.  Our 
men  are  getting  ready." 

"  What  ?  I  do  not  understand.  Where  did  you 
get  the  whisky?  " 

*'  That  came  through  the  lines  on  a  drift-pile. 
Some  of  our  friends  on  one  of  the  Memphis  pac- 
kets. It  was  well  done.  We  got  it  several  days 
ago.  I  give  it  to  the  boys  to  put  them  in  good 
hearty  There  is  an  expedition  going  down  the 
river.  I  imagine  they  have  got  wind  of  the  cotton 
I  am  watcliing.     Don't  I  wish  they  may  get  it !  " 

"  How  can  you  prevent  it,  if  they  have  more  men, 
— especially  when  you  have  no  artillery?  " 

'*  I  will  send  it  to  heaven  with  a  fire-brand,  and 


230  COTTON  STEALING. 

leave  them  ashes.     Trust  me   to   outwit  a  Yankee. 
Sit  down  and  take  a  drink ;  there  is  plenty  of  time." 
Outside  the  guerillas  were  singing  : 

"  Drink,  men,  drink, 
•  Oh  drink  your  fill  to-day  ; 

For  life  is  bonny,  and  love  is  sweet, 
And  fighting  is  our  play." 

Who  would  think  that  La  Scheme,  the  Confed- 
erate, w^as  at  the  bottom  of  this  expedition  ?  That 
he  had  improved  his  time  at  Memphis  in  such  a  re- 
markable manner.  Least  of  all,  how  could  the 
guerilla  imagine  any  plot  hidden  in  the  mind  of  a 
Confederate  like  La  Scheme  ?  And  if,  as  was  true 
to  a  certain  extent,  this  cotton  was  sold  to  benefit 
the  South,  why  did  not  the  speculator,  like  a  man, 
tell  the  guerilla  captain,  and  obtain  his  safe-guard  ? 
Could  La  Scheme  doubt  for  a  moment  which  the  cap- 
tain would  prefer  to  do — destroy  two  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars,  or  make  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars, — ashes  or  green-backs? 
In  truth.  La  Scheme's  original  plan  involved  a  dis- 
closure to  the  captain  ;  but  his  suspicion  of  an  aifec- 
tion  between  Leette  and  the  corporal  had  changed 
the  design  to  that  which  is  soon  to  be  developed. 
La  Scheme  possessed  a  happy  faculty  of  turning 
every  accident  to  the  best  account.  The  whisky 
and  the  preparation  of  the  guerillas  were  moves  in 
his  hands.  He  had  a  defined  plan,  or  rather  a  skel- 
eton, of  what  was  to  be  done  at  the  mercy  of  circum- 
stances ;   and  his   disposition  was   so  well   subdued 


COTTON  STEALING.  231 

that,  like  the  master  of  the  chess-board,  the  check 
of  an  antagonist  was  only  a  false  move  which  ex- 
posed and  mated  his  own  king.  Consequently,  La 
Scheme  *was  simply  their  old  friend — shaking  old 
friends  with  the  hand-grasp  of  warm  friendship — 
greeting  new  acquaintances  with  that  cordiality 
which  intoxicated  them  with  the  pleasure  of  genial 
good-fellowship.  They  drank  all  round,  and  enjoyed 
the  men's  chorus  heartily,  saying  "Bully  for  the 
Bourbon,"  as  the  loud  strain,  repeated,  entered  their 
ears  : 

*  Old  Bourbon  whisky's  made  in  heaven, — 

Old  Bourbon  is  the  drink  for  men. 
Drink  Bourbon  whisky  while  we're  living  ; 
Dead— drink  old  Bourbon  then." 

As  if  the  word  "  dead  "  had  suggested  an  idea,  he 
asked  the  captain  : 

"  When  do  you  expect  them  ?" 

"  Any  moment.  I  must  send  out  a  scout  now. 
These  men  have  drank  about  enough." 

Rising  from  his  seat  he  went  out,  and  gave  orders 
to  a  subordinate,  which  were  obeyed  by  a  general 
mounting  and  departure  of  the  band— but  not  before 
the  precious  whisky  was  brought  inside. 

"  We  do  not  often  get  an  article  as  good  as  that. 
One  of  our  side  got  it  particularly  for  me.  It  will 
not  last  long  ;  while  it  stays  let  us  enjoy  it." 

The  capacity  of  a  corn-fed  soldier  of  the  South  to 
contain  whisky,  is  astonishing,  which  makes  them  re- 
semble that  object  of  their  special  hate,  a  Dutchman 


232  COTTON  STEALING. 

— on  tlie  principle  of  the  arithmetical  rule  of  three, 
viz  : — as  lager  beer  to  a  Dutchman  so  is  whisky  to  a 
Johnnie.  These  soldiers  were  o^entlemen — fcentle- 
men  wlio  had  not  seen  whisky  for  ten  months,  and 
they  drank  with  the  freedom  of  soldiers,  and  the  ca- 
pacity of  an  empty  two-gallon  jug.  La  Scheme  en- 
joyed their  thirst,  for  he  was  too  wise  to  imitate  their 
example.  He,  however,  absorbed  their  attention  by 
his  account  of  Memphis  and  the  army  there,  and  the 
state  of  feeling  existing  at  the  Nortli.  When  their 
cups  were  empty,  he  warily  suggested  some  hope  of 
success,  or  some  promise  of  aid,  which  filled  them 
with  joy,  and  called  for  more  fluid  to  wet  it  down. 
Keeping  up  their  good  fellow-feeling,  he  put  them  in 
that  frame  of  mind  which  cares  for  nothing,  and 
would  rather  fight  than  eat.  About  this  time  the 
lieutenant  dismounted  and  entered  the  shanty,  say- 
ing : 

"They  are  here." 

"  How  many  ?" 

"  One  gun-boat  and  three  transports." 

"  Send  for  the  lower  squad ;  bring  in  all  the  de- 
tachments.    Are  your  men  all  right  ?" 

"  Yes.  Shall  I  fire  the  cotton  now,  and  fire  on 
them  afterwards?  we  can  concentrate  then." 

La  Scheme  spoke :  "  You  had  better  concentrate 
now.  Ledonc's  Point  is  the  best  place  ;  and  in  case 
of  a  retreat  you  can  have  the  cover  of  the  levee  and 
the  quarters.  You  had  better  not  burn  any  cotton 
until  you  see  it  is  in  danger.  They  may  not  land 
here  at  all." 


COTTON   STEALING.  233 

He  knew  that  orders  had  been  issued  to  gun-boats 
to  shell,  and  troops  to  land  and  destroy,  any  planta- 
tion -which  harbored  guerillas.  What  motive  had  he 
for  the  destruction  of  Leette's  home  ?  Was  it  Cor- 
poral Manet  ?  Certainly  he  could  be  otherwise  put 
out  of  the  way. 

"That  is  the  best  place,"  said  the  Captain,  "but 
I  fear  lest  the  Yankees  will  land  and  burn  the  build- 
ings." 

"  I  think  not,"  said  La  Scheme  ;  "  They  will  not 
do  that  unless  we  fire  on  them ;  and  even  then  we 
would  meet  them  by  a  good  volley,  and  prevent  their 
landing.  But  you  know  best ;  you  must  take  the 
responsibility.  I  would  not  have  Miss  Leette's  old 
home  destroyed  for  the  world." 

"Mount  !"  commands  the  captain;  "we  have  no 
time  to  lose." 

The  Mississippi  river,  in  its  course  to  the  sea,  runs 
from  a  direct  line  with  the  waywardness  of  a  head- 
strong girl.  The  meanderings  of  its  channel  are 
similar  to  the  three  wonders — too  wonderful  for  the 
wise  man,  Solomon.  Often  a  steamboat,  bound  up 
or  down,  heads  toward  every  point  of  the  compass 
between  sunrise  and  high  noon.  Many,  many  times, 
between  Cairo  and  New  Orleans,  the  eye  can  see 
over  a  narrow  peninsula  to  the  river  below, — a  short 
mile,  or,  at  most,  not  more  than  five  ;  yet  tlie  stream 
runs  twenty  miles  around  the  almost-island  to  make 
tliat  little  distance.  Such  was  Ledonc's  Point. 
Leette's  plantation  was  on  the  neck, — gazing  at 
both   rivers,  yet  nearer  the  south  than  north.     La 


234  COTTON  STEALING. 

Scheme,  riding  with  the  captain,  contrived  to  lead 
him  to  occupy  the  north  side,  from  which  the  attack 
could  easily  be  renewed  on  the  southern  side,  there 
being  ample  time  for  riding  across,  and  other  prepa- 
ration, while  the  boats  were  getting  round. 

Arriving  at  the  place,  the  guerillas  dismounted 
and  tied  their  horses  in  the  woods,  out  of  sight  of 
the  river ;  then  went  to  tlie  levee  and  lay  down  in  a 
position  to  command  the  approach.  In  the  distance, 
coming  down,  were  dark  clouds  of  coal-smoke  from 
Uncle  Sam's  big  chimneys — taxes  upon  future  gen- 
erations ascending  thick  and  fast  into  the  air ;  one 
dollar  a  moment,  this  expedition,  to  be  paid  by  chil- 
dren's .children  as  the  price  of  union,  liberty,  and  a 
free  government. 

The  gun-boat,  was  not  molested,  but  passed  beyond 
the  point;  so  the  first  transport.  Each  transport 
held  a  regiment  of  volunteers,  who  were  packed 
away  in  every  possible  place.  On  shore,  the  trees 
heard  no  rustle  save  the  breathing  of  tbeir  own 
leaves ;  no  voice  but  the  twittering  of  home  birds, 
who  saw  no  cause  for  disquiet  or  wonder  in  the 
watching,  waiting  forms,  so  near  the  color  of  the 
soil  as  to  seem  mounds  —  newly  closed  graves. 
Nearer  and  more  near  came  the  boat.  Two  com- 
panies, detailed  to  repel  attack,  were  in  line  of  bat- 
tle on  the  roof.  At  ease  ;  the  nation's  soldiers 
rested  on  their  guns,  for  they  were  tired.  No  one 
had  fired  on  them  all  day ;  nor  the  previous  night, 
when  they  lay  at  the  bank  with  their  pickets  out. 
The  soldiers  not  on  duty  were  seeking  the  little  com- 


COTTON   STEALINa.  235 

fort  possible  ;  guns  were  laid  along  the  deck.  A 
few  were  watching.  The  channel  came  close  to  the 
bank  ;  the  boat  drew  near.  On  the  other  side,  the 
Mississippi  spread  its  mighty  current  over  a  great 
bar.  The  smooth,  shining  surface  spoke  of  no  dan- 
ger ;  but  the  pilot  knew,  if  once  he  left  the  channel, 
the  boat  would  be  as  hard  and  fast  aground  as 
Noah's  ark  before  the  flood,  or,  when  the  waters 
fallint',  it  ran  as^round  on  the  summit  of  Arrarat. 
What  matter  if  the  rest  of  the  world  was  an  ocean  ? 
The  boat  could  not  swim  :  so  on  it  came  in  the 
current ;  nearer  and  more  near,  until  the  distance 
seemed  so  short  that  a  biscuit  could  be  tossed  on 
shore.  Still  the  guerilla  would  not  give  the  order, 
"Fire." 

He  loved  Leette,  and  could  not  bring  his  heart  to 
endanger  her  old  home;  to  bring  the  house  where  she 
was  born  to  ruin.  He  hesitated ;  while  thus  poising, 
that  man  who  hated  Leette  because  she  saved  the  life 
of  James  Manet  caught  the  eye  of  La  Scheme.  Tlie 
eye  that  tells  without  speaking,  caught  a  look  toward 
him,  then  at  the  house.  With  a  scowl  of  rage  and 
hate,  the  guerilla  raised  himself,  aimed  at  the  pilot- 
house, and  fired.  Listantly,  a  volley  followed  ;  gueril- 
las loading  and  firing  without  command,  bullets  sing- 
ing the  leaden  zip,  zip,  zip,  among  the  Federal  sol- 
dier's ears;  a  volley  taking  them  by  surprise,  which 
they  feebly  returned.  The  next  boat  was  treated  to 
the  same ;  but  they  were  prepared,  their  pilot  ran  as  far 
from  the  bullet-bank  as  was  possiJ}le,  so  disturbing 
the  guerillas'  calculation  of  distance  on  the  water, 


236  COTTON    STEALING. 

that  the  balls  fell  short  and  harmless.  When  this 
was  discovered,  the  gang  left  the  upper  point,  ran  to 
their  horses  to  be  ready  for  a  new  attack  below,  when 
the  boats  came  round. 

One  man  lay  stiff,  and  stark,  and  cold.  The  guer- 
illa who  fired  without  orders.  Ilis  captain  strode  to 
his  side.  "  God  d — n  your  soul  to  hell,  go  home  !  " 
The  poor  worthless  soul  rode  on  a  pistol-bullet  out 
of  the  sun,  out  of  the  woods ;  away  from  the  Ameri- 
can bottom,  with  its  river — Father  of  waters-^its 
mighty  bosom,  sandy,  snaggy ;  its  quaint  forests ;  its 
cane-brake ;  its  rebellion  ;  rode  faster  than  railroad  ; 
as  the  lightning,  to  try  the  realities  of  the  beyond. 
How  far  was  La  Scheme  guilty  ?  lie  did  not  en- 
courage him,  he  did  not  command  :  such  encourage- 
ment, such  command,  would  have  met  disobedience ; 
he  only  looked  "  Don't  fire,  that  house  belongs  to  Le- 
ette  Ledonc,"  and  the  guerilla  fired,  and  went  to 
hell. 

The  boats  came  round.  Now  the  guerrillas  had 
the  down  side.  Boom,  boom,  boom,  burst  from  the 
gun-boat ;  shell  followed  shell.  The  transports  landed, 
their  troops  debarked,  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and 
charged  double-quick  upon  the  foe,  —  uselessly ; 
those  horrible  shells !  those  infernal  gun-boats !" 
Horses  and  riders  beat  a  quick  retreat ;  and  when 
the  infantry  were  running  eager  to  avenge  the  assas- 
ination  of  their  comrades,  the  cut-throats  of  civilized 
warfare,  were  beyond  their  reach,  frightened  by  a 
shell. 

They  found  the  butternut,  and  rolled  his  carcass 


COTTON  STEALING.  237 

into  the  river — food  for  cat-fish.  Long  before  this, 
La  Scheme  sought  the  plantation,  at  the  door  call- 
ing, "Leette!  Leette  I  Quick— quick  for  vour 
life!" 

She  met  him,  cool  and  collected,  her  eye  flashing 
fire. 

"What?" 

"  The  gun-boats— the  gun-boats  !" 
"I  do  not  care,  Kendal." 

"  They  have  been  fired  into.  Don't  you  hear  ? 
They  will  shell  your  house.  Didn't.  I  tell  you  ? 
Where  is  your  horse  ?  They  will  burn  your  house 
and  take  you  prisoner.  Let  the  corporal  go.  Save 
yourself." 

"  He  is  safe,  and  so  am  I, —  Sam,  get  my  horse, — 
Uncle,  take  care  of  the  house,  or  run  ofi",  as  you 
please. — I  am  going  to  stay  and  see  it  out." 

•'  Leette  !  and  ruin  all  my  plans  ?  Oh,  Leette  I" 
She  yielded  again,  and  went  with  him— not  a  mo- 
ment too  soon.  The  gun-boat  had  the  range,  and  a 
shell  burst  near  the  quarters.  Old  Aunty  was  com- 
ing out,  and  a  fragment  disemboweled  the  innocent 
burden-bearer — wronged  from  infancy,  wronged  in 
maturity,  killed  while  being  righted— free  by  the  Pro- 
clamation, killed  by  a  fragment  of  the  Proclaimer's 
law-enforcer— free  by  the  law  of  God  ;  gone  to  hea- 
ven where  the  dead  white  guerilla  could  not  go. 

When  the  troops  came  all  was  as  it  had  been  aban- 
doned, save  that  a  shell  had  already  fired  the  man- 
sion. They  completed  the  work  and  left  but  chim- 
neys. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

India  has  its  jungle,  Mexico  and  California  their 
chaparral.  Some  vegetation  never  attempts  to  grow 
straight,  shuns  right  lines  as  nature  abhors  a  vacuum. 
Such  is  the  mesquite.  The  laurel,  too,  emulates 
perfection  in  crookedness.  A  generic  term  exists  in 
every  language,  which  gives  utterance  to  the  idea 
obtained  by  contact  with  dense,  luxuriant,  tangled 
vegetation.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  impenetra- 
bility without  crooks  or  curves.  In  the  South  this 
is  called  cane-brake. 

Suppose  a  field,  a  farm,  or  a  county,  covered  with 
newspapers — the  New  York  Tribune,  Times,  and 
Herald ;  add  the  London  Star,  Times,  and  News. 
Let  every  letter — capital,  italic,  little,  big,  cypher, 
or  figure — grow  straight  into  a  bamboo  cane,  one, 
five,  ten,  or  thirteen  feet  high.  That  is  a  slight 
comparison  with  the  canes  growing  in  a  wild  Southern 
forest.  A  small  cane-brake  is  of  little  account  as  an 
obstacle ;  very  valuable  to  the  grazier,  whose  cattle 
winter   on   the   green   fodder — growing   fat,    while 


COTTON  STEALING.  239 

Northern  relations  are  shivering  over  dried  grass  or 
meadow  hay.  A  small  cane-brake  is  of  no  more  ac- 
count than  a  few  cypress  trees.  The  mourning  cy- 
press, the  base  of  whose  trunk  is  a  swollen  bulb  ; 
a  gigantic  lily  on  top  of  the  ground,  whose  flower- 
stock  has  no  leaves,  whose  flower  has  no  garment/ ; 
its  net-work  of  veins  and  fibres  standing  stiff  and 
stark  in  the  air,  like  an  inverted  umbrella  without 
silk  covering.  The  tree  which  stands  to  other  trees, 
as  the  ancient  mariner  to  other  men — 


As  is  the  ribbed  sea  sand." 

But  when  a  cypress  swamp  and  its  concomitants  is 
populated  by  a  cane-brake  and  its  entanglements, 
there  is  no  likeness  save  to  itself.  It  remains  unique, 
alone, — a  cane-brake  in  a  cypress  swamp.  It  is  a 
jungle,  yet  not  a  jungle  ;  a  chaparral,  yet  not  a  chap- 
arral ;  it  is  a  canebrake  in  a  cypress  swamp,  which, 
to  be  appreciated,  must  not  only  be  seen,  but  where 
one  must  be  lost  and  feel  the  sensation  of  trying  to 
get  out. 

In  three  minutes  Leette's  horse  passed  the  cleared 
land  and  entered  the  cane-brake.  Not  the  dense 
mass  described,  any  more  than  a  forest  of  oaks 
means  the  California  live  oak,  girding  thirty  or  fifty 
feet.  Little  scrubby  cane — pipe-stems,  with  maca- 
roni limbs  and  vermicelli  branches ;  the  poniard- 
leaf,  long  or  short,  always  narrow,  always  brittle, 
and  suggesting  stabbing.  Then  came  a  slough — a 
low  bottom,  where  were  scattering  cypresses  ;  then 


240  COTTON   STEALING. 

higher  land,  where  was  a  cane-brake.      Loette  had 
darted  before  and  left  her  companion. 

La  Scheme  followed.  To  his  animal  the  distance 
was  a  ten-minute  task.  On  entering  the  wood  he 
lost  her.  His  first  suspicion,  James  Manet.  La 
Scheme  believed  in  will-power.  lie  conceived  him- 
self the  master  of  any  woman,  of  Leette.  Aban- 
doning the  excitement  of  passing  events,  he  drew 
in  those  tenaculae  of  mind  which  perceive ;  the  an- 
tennae of  the  soul  which,  snail  horns,  abstract  sensa- 
tion from  the  atmosphere ;  concentrated  his  vital 
electricity  on  Leette,  and  willed  her  return. 

An  half-hour  passed,  during  which  he  gave  his 
animal  fi'eedom  from  the  rein,  and  permitted  him  to 
choose  his  own  way.  Exerting  one  intense  current 
of  thought,  sending  the  command  to  the  flying  wo- 
man, "Come  back."  Lapse  of  time  did  not  dis- 
courage, only  gave  proof  of  that  power  which  drove 
her  on.  He  believed  an  actual  contest  pending — a 
battle  going  on  between  the  invisible  antagonisms  of 
will.  He  knew  he  would  conquer.  Wlien  assurance 
came,  as  it  did  to  his  mind — ^self-deceived  perhaps, — 
when  he  experienced  a  relief  of  tension,  he  said  to 
himself,  "  She  is  coming,"  and  then  gave  attention 
to  the  place  whither  his  horse  had  borne  him. 

It  was  a  Robin  Hood's  nest  in  the  forest.  He 
paused  under  an  enormous  cottonwood,  permitting 
his  horse  to  graze  while  he  looked  around  him. 
The  mind,  freed  from  bolts  and  bars,  took  in  nature, 
and  he  relieved  himself  by  talking  aloud : 

"  This  populus  monilifera  is   magnificent.     Ages 


COTTON  STEALING.  241 

on  ages  must  have  passed   since  it  was.  a  feathery 
seed,  borne  on  the  wind.     Perhaps,  left  hy  the  Hood 
of  old  Mississippi,  when  Caesar  was  a  boy  and  Mark 
Anthony  a  baby.     There  is   the  quercus   alba  and 
prinos.       I   wish    you    were    staunch   and    copper- 
fastened  ;    loaded    with     ordnance    for  Vicksburg. 
God!  what  a   hard  time   there  is   before  them,  ig- 
norant how  these  Yankees  can  fight.      Ulmus  alatus, 
winged-elm ;  no  great  value  ;  but  I  love  you  because 
you  are  of  the  South.     There  is  the  liquid-amber 
styracifua  and  the  myessa  multiflora — sweet  and  sour 
gum ;  and  you,  Mr.  Hackberry,  celtis  mississippien- 
818, — cord-wood:     Oh,  wouldn't  the  Federals  be  glad 
to  have  you  to  make  steam  !     You  are  a  nettle-tree. 
Had  you  been  known  to  the  Romans   and  Greeks, 
they  would  have  planted  you  in  hell  for  switches  for 
young  devils.     The   furies  would  have  no  need  of 
snakes,  crowned  by  your  thorns.    What  a  wood-yard 
Leette  might  make  oifraxinus  americana,  puhescens, 
viridis, — ash — red,   white,    and   green  ;    no   matter 
whether  dry  or  just  cut.     She  is  the  oiie  ;  burnt  her 
whole  wood-yard  to  keep  it  from  the  dyed  wretches." 
As   if  a   moment  of  relenting    came   over    him,    he 
paused :     ''  Good  girl.     Loves  me.     Nothing  but  a 
woman.     I  must   sacrifice  her.     Too  smart;  would 
be  a  tyrant  when  I  relaxed   the   rein.      I  will  use 
her  well,  and  put  her  out  of  the  way.     This  is  the 
flood  of  fortune's  tide,  and  I  must  make  my  fortune. 
Men  are  dying  by  thousands.      What  matters  the 
life  of  one  w(Jhian  !  " 

The  tall  trees  stood  thickly,  twining  branch  among 
16 


242  COTTON  STEALING. 

branches,  shutting  out  the  clouds,  the  sun,  and  sky. 
Their  tops,  a  firmament,  supported  by  living  pillars, 
whose  base  was  a  distinct  creation,  or  rather  a  chaos, 
the  wildest  of  the  untamed  thickets  of  tlie  American 
bottom.  An  impenetrable  wilderness  of  leaves  above, 
a  similar  wilderness  below,  trunks  between,  like  tele- 
graph poles,  save  in  size.  The  cane  was  impregna- 
ble ;  nature's  abattis,  straight,  contorted,  interlaced, 
interwoven,  twisted  and  twined,  over,  under,  betwixt, 
around,  between,  by  climbing  woodbine,  thorny  vine, 
morning  glory,  wild  grape,  and  gorgeous  with  the 
trumpet  creeper.  Up  to  his  head,  above  his  horse, 
sitting  in  his  saddle,  he  could  not  reach  the  height  of 
the  tangled  mass  of  living  leaves  and  flowers.  The 
peculiar  cane-brake  of  the  South;  and  this  was  the 
haunt  of  guerillas,  accessible  by  one  narrow  path 
leading  through. 

Another  half-hour,  Leette  came.  He  did  not  say, 
I  knew  you  would  come;  she  did  not  tell  him  what 
feeling  prompted  her  to  seek  him  here.  Both  felt  a 
need :  he  to  command,  she,  the  want  and  willingness 
to  obey.  Neither  asked  Why  ?  Strong  minds  anx- 
ious to  know,  prefer  to  wait  rather  than  question, 
when  thereby  they  fear  to  manifest  weakness. 

Leette  spoke  first : 

"  I  went  back  to  watch  them.  They  have  burnt 
every  thing.  Broken  down  my  arbor,  killed  my 
hogs,  my  tame  cows,  taken  my  mules,  my  poultry, 
my  fodder,  my  corn ;  what  they  have  not  taken  they 
have  burned ;  what  they  have  not  burned  they  have 
destroyed.     They  found  the  thousand  bales  of  Con- 


COTTON   gTEALING.  243  • 

• 

federate  cotton,  and  almost  took  me.     Oh  !  if  I  could 

have   burned  it,"    patting  the   neck    of  her   racer, 

**  poor  Janie,  good  Janie.     Janie  saved  me."     The 

mare  curved  her  lithe,  beautiful  neck,  proud  of  the 

Qa»e*ss  of  her  mistress.    La  Scheme  continued  silent, 

,      waiting.    Leette's  mannner  repressed  emotion,  which 

'^    burst  out,  *'  1  wish  I  was  a  devil.     I'd  torment  the 

'"jy^ycd  brutes  !     They  fired  at  me ;  ordered  me  to  halt, 

and  fired^if^me.     The  fiends  !     I'd  be  willing  to  die 

to  ^eft^  them  all  to  hell.     God  Almighty  !  how  I  hate 

them  !  " 

T^is  was  La  Scheme's  opportunity.  Her  mind 
was  ready.  For  such  a  state  of  soul  he  had  been 
waiting.  "  Leette,"  said  he,  "  Are  you  woman 
enough  to  c^i^ecrate  your  life  to  vengeance  ?  Dare 
you  swear  to  live  only  to  punish  and  revenge  until  the 
South  shall  be  free  ?  " 

She  answered,  "  I  dare." 

"  If  I  will  find  you  opportunities,  will  you  give  me 
your  solemn  word  and  oath,  to  be  true,  to  be  secret, 
to  be  faithful  even  to  death  ?  Never  to  flinch,  never 
to  waver,  to  endure  torture  without  confession,  to 
suffer  without  a  word,  to  look  danger  and  death 
face  to  face  for  the  sake  of  vengeance  ?  Can  you  ? 
will  you  ?" 

Again  she  answered  "  Yes," 

"  Leette,  I  have  been  seeking  a  woman  of  great 
character,  energy,-  and  will.  You  are  such  a  one. 
Shall  I  prove  my  confidence  by  initiating  you  into  a 
secret  band,  of  which  you  are  now  to  know  no  more 
than  that  I  am  a  member,  a  chief,  and  have  the 
power." 


^  244  COTTON  STEALING. 

# 

She  answered,  "  Yes." 

He  continued :  "  Every  step  has  its  test  and  its 
oath.  When  your  courage  fails  you  cease  to  pro- 
gress, and  no  future  mystery  will  be  revealed  ;  while 
the  knowledge  gained  amounts  to  no  more  than  an 
opportunity  to  join  an  organization  of  which  you 
know  one  member.     Have  you  will  to  proceed  ?  "  ^ 

She  answered,  "  I  have."  ^f 

"  Dismount,  and  I  will  test  your  coura|^'* 
He  never  followed  the  same  primary  initiation 
twice.  The  persons  he  used  were  bound  to  him  by 
test  oaths  other  than  those  of  commfhi  and  universal 
existence  over  the  South.  He  was  able,  by  his  pow- 
erful memory,  to  hold  every  individual  sworn  to  him 
by  chains  of  iron;  that  infinity  of  m^ory  which 
carries  a  consciousness  of  ten  thousand  acts  of  num- 
berless persons  —  as  mother  earth  remembers  its 
myriad  fields  of  ripening  grain,  forgetting  no  stalk, 
no  beard,  no  grain  of  barley,  oats,  or  wheat. 

Standing  on  the  ground,  he  took  her  arm,  unbut- 
toned her  sleeve,  rolled  it  deliberately  to  her  shoul- 
der, clasped  it  above  the  elbow  with  a  firm  thumb 
and  forefinger  until  the  small  purple  veins  stood 
clearly  under  the  white  skin ;  then  he  let  it  loose. 
She  held  steadily  where  he  left  the  arm  extended  in 
the  air.  He  then  took  from  his  pocket  a  small  flask, 
unscrewed  its  tumbler-top,  gave  it  her  to  hold,  and  re- 
newed his  grasp.  When  crimson  blood  again  revealed 
its  channel,  he  drew  from  a  secret  hiding  place  a  dag- 
ger ;  with  its  point  pierced  the  tissue,  opened  the 
vein,  from  which  warm  life  spirted  in  a  continuous 


COTTON  STEALINO.  245 

flow.  TOilst  jetting  its  bright  crimson  on  the 
ground,  he  fastened  his  eyes  keenly  on  her  faee, 
watch,„g  for  a  quiver  of  a  muscle,  or  a  change  of 
color.  Satisfied,  he  took  the  little  goblet  and  caught 
a  measure  of  blood;  then,  removing  his  hand,  s°uf- 
fered  the  wound  to  exhaust  itself  in  slow  drops 
l^eettes  countenance  seemed  to  ask,  "Well,  whai 
now  .'        He  spoke,  say  in"  : 

"  You  are  not  afraid  of°  blood.  It  is  well  Fol 
low  me  in  the  words  I  speak,  men  your  courage 
falters,  stop.     With  you,  always,  rests  the  command 

u  tT    \>  "■"  "**  '"'^^'  hesitating  follower." 

Thou  Beginner  of  all  things,-Elemental  source 
ot  lite,— Disposer  of  all  secondary  causes,— Life  of 
the  sun,-Substance  of  the  earth,-Spirit  of  the 
a,r  -Pervader  of  water,-recognizing  Thy  presence 
in  this  blood,  and  hailing  Thee,  by  the  name  common 
^0^  mortal  tongues,  I  invoke  Thy  recording  ear,  oh, 

Lcette  repeated  every  word.     As  his  thumb  and 
forefinger  had  been  on  her  arm,  his  glance  pressed 
on   her  eye  to  catch  the  shock  of  each  new   idea. 
S^peakmg  as  to  an  echo;  waiting  until  both  call  and 
echo  had  printed  on  the  air,-the  photograph,  which 
travc  s  into  the  limitless  space;  where  sound  waits 
in  patience  the  day  when  every  idle  word  that  man 
has  spoken  shall  come  in  witnessing  judgment;  sum- 
moned by  the  great,  prosecuting  Attorney  of  heaven's 
tribunal,  to  confront  the  prisoner  at  the  bar,  thus: 
Here  am  I.     Remember!     Thou  didst  speak  me." 
baz.ng,  waiting;  his  scrutiny  was  satisfactorv,  and 
he  proceeded 


246  COTTON  STEALING. 

"  You  are  a  true  daughter  of  the  South ;  love  its 
mountains,  glens,  hills,  valleys,  plains,  and  majestic 
rivers,  above  all  the  rest  of  the  \\"orld.  You  love  its 
institutions  :  particularly  the  ancient,  patriarchal  in- 
stitution of  slavery ;  given  by  God  to  Abraham, 
confirmed  by  Moses,  and  sealed  in  Solomon.  You 
believe  slavery  the  true  foundation  of  civil,  social, 
and  moral  existence — designed  to  equalize  the  re- 
lationsliip  of  daily  life,  and,  passing  beyond  the 
grave,  to  reach  ultimate  perfection  in  the  eternal  fu- 
ture ;  that  the  throne  of  God  is  established  on  the 
principle  of  servitude ;  God,  himself,  the  alone  Em- 
peror  of  created  and  uncreated  worlds — obedient  to 
the  eternal  principle  of  master  and  slave.  Do  you 
so  believe?  " 

Leette  replied,  "I  do."  He  continued: 
"  You  also  believe  color  a  test  of  capacity ;  that 
nobility  of  endowment  is  found  alone  in  the  white 
race,  who  are  by  nature  rulers  of  the  world,  and 
that  a  select  few  of  the  white  race  are  designed  to 
bear  dominion  and  rule — to  whom  belong  the  land 
power,  wealth,  and  slaves  of  the  world.  This  you 
also  believe?  " 

Leette  again  answered,  "I  do."  He  continued: 
"  You  believe  the  many — people  of  every  nation, 
clime,  and  color — ought  to  be  the  slaves  of  the  ruling 
class ;  without  right  to  knowledge,  education,  wealth, 
or  power ;  to  be  ruled  without  right  to  vote,  or  gov- 
ern themselves ;  and  you  are  one  of  the  ruling  class. 
This  you  believe?  " 
She  answered,  "  Yes." 


COTTON   STEALING.  247 

"  Then  declare :  All  who  oppose,  by  thought, 
word,  or  action,  my  right,  and  the  right  of  my  class, 
are  my  enemies." 

Leette  answered,  "I  declare  them  my  enemies." 
He  added : 

"  Swear  to  follow  and  trample  them  under  your 
feet." 

Leette  replied,  "I  swear." 

"  Now  repeat  this  oath  after  me.  ^  I  will  recog- 
nize and  obey  the  orders  of  my  superiors.  I  will 
offer  to  the  glory  of  my  country,  and  the  success  of 
these  principles,  my  life.  None  of  the  so-called 
treasures  of  the  heart — neither  of  home,  love,  honor, 
modesty,  chastity,  or  purity — shall  for  an  instant 
check  me  ;  but  be  offered  willingly,  if  thereby  ad- 
vantage may  be  gained  for  the  cause  of  the  South  ; 
and  thereby  be  established  in  the  Western  world  the 
time-honored*institutions  of  the  past." 

Then  La  Scheme,  taking  a  small  book  from  his 
pocket,  opened  at  a  blank  leaf.  Handing  it  to 
Leette,  he  took  the  measure  containing  her  blood. 
Into  this  he  dipped  a  gold  pen,  and,  givmg  it,  said  : 

"Write  the  words,  'I  swear,'  and  sign  your  name. 
In  thus  doing  you  sign  your  own  death-warrant. 
The  space  left  blank  will  remain  until  you  shall  have 
revealed  a  secret,  or  violated  an  oath,  or  turned  trai- 
toress.  Then  shall  be  written  the  sentence  of  a 
secret  tribunal, — which  shall  be  executed,  even  to 
opening  your  heart,  and  writing  from  that  inkstand 
the  word  '  Fulfilled.'     Do  you  hesitate  ?  " 


248  COTTON   STEALING. 

"This  is  my  answer."  She  wrote  rapidly,  in  a 
clear,   running   hand,    ''  I    swear, — 

"Leette  Ledonc." 
Making,  also,  that  little  scroll  which  is  now  put  on 
legal  documents  in  place  of  a  seal.     Saying,  •  when 
it  was   done,   "  You  have  said  no  word  against  our 
enemies  the  Yankees." 

"  Girl!  "  said  La  Scheme,  "Why  are  you  not  a 
woman !  Our  enemy  is  a  principle,  and  those  influ- 
enced by  it.  I  am  a  Yankee.  You,  and  all  mem- 
bers of  this  league,  see  in  this  war  now  raging  more 
than  a  simple  struggle  for  the  Union.  We  have 
enemies  in  the  South.  We  have  valuable  friends  in 
the  North ;  men  who  will,  when  we  have  gained  the 
victory,  bring  every  state  to  become  a  member  of  the 
Golden  Circle.  But  hold !  Before  I  make  any  de- 
velopments—  give  either  signs  or  pass-words,  or 
reveal  any  secrets — you  must  take  the  anathema. 
Repeat  it  with  me." 

"  I  will  obey,  though  obedience  cost  all  that  I  hold 
dear  :  that  which  is  dearer  than  life,  eternal  salvation. 
To  that  end  may  I  be  anathema  maranatha,  if  I  re- 
fuse, and  I  call  on  the  curses  to  curse  me. 

"  Cursed  be  my  body  ;  cursed  be  my  mind  ;  cursed 
be  my  soul ;  let  all  that  has  power  to  pain,  blight, 
scorch,  and  sere,  unite  and  curse  my  morning,  noon, 
and  night — make  my  morning  misery,  my  noon 
agony,  my  night  torture, — make  my  sleep  torment, 
my  dreams  hell ;  give  me  a  broken  back,  withered 
and  limping  limbs,  an  aching  tooth,  a  smarting  eye, 
a  parched  throat,  and  a  sore  ear ;  fever  in  the  blood 


COTTON  STEALINQ.  249 

and  madness  in  the  brain ;  take  from  me  the  love  of 
my  friends  ;  give  me  to  the  dogs  of  my  enemies  ;  hide 
the  star  of  hope ;  make  me  a  contempt,  an  astonish- 
ment, a  hissing,  a  desolation — downtrodden,  spit  on, 
fed  with  swine,  bedded  with  beasts.  May  otcrnity 
curse  my  soul  with  the  heat  of  damnation,  make  my 
love  hate,  my  bliss  blackness,  my  memory  blister- 
ing, my  reason  distraction ;  my  strength  weakness  ; 
powerful  to  suffer ;  dying,  yet  never  dead ;  living,  yet 
never  alive.  Tor1;ure  me  with  the  fire  never  quenched ; 
gnashing  of  teeth,  wailing  and  weeping ;  revenge 
never  accomplished ;  fury  impotent ;  frenzy  insa- 
tiable. Give  me  a  useless  hope  of  forgiveness,  and  a 
tempting  view  of  heaven  lost  forever.  Thus  let  me 
be  anathema  maranatha,  if  I  do  not  obey.     Amen." 

"  You  have  sworn.  Your  motives  are  high  and 
pure.     There  remains  another  oath  : 

"  My  country's  friend  is  my  friend,  |^er  enemy  my 
enemy.  I  will  not  bear  ill-will,  hatred,  nor  revenge 
in  my  heart ;  neither  will  I  lift  my  hand  against  my 
most  bitter  personal  foe,  while  he  is  the  friend  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy ;  her  friends,  though  my  ene- 
mies, though  they  may  have  wronged  me  in  my  near- 
est and  dearest  feelings,  though  worthy  of  death  for 
their  deeds,  shall  still  be  mine.  I  will  forgive  them, 
I  will  protect  them,  I  will  feed,  care  for,  and  bless 
them,  I  will  watch  over  them  by  night,  I  will  guard 
them  by  day.  And  if  in  this  I  fail,  may  the  curse  of 
curses  accompany  me  in  overwhelming  agony,  and  I 
be  damned,  damned  and  thrice  damned." 

Then  he  raised  his  dagger,  holding  the  little  drop 
of  fast  blackening;  blood  in  the  other  hand. 


250  COTTON   STEALING. 

"  I  swear,  if  unauthorized,  you  reveal  this  inter- 
view, or  word  of  mine  to  any  soul  on  earth,  you  shall 
meet  punishment.  Hands  you  know  not  shall  strike 
the  blow,  ears  you  dream  not  in  existence  shall  hear 
your  tongue,  penalties  you  are  not  yet  permitted  to 
know  shall  be  enforced,  in  witness  whereof ' " 

He  held  his  dagger  in  imprecation  toward  heaven, 
raised  the  tiny  goblet,  and  drank  her  blood  ! 

^' -You  have  freely  given  allegiance.    You  have  no 

choice,  you  must  obey.  Once  having  laid  hand  to 
the  plow,  never  look  back.  When  you  tremble,  let 
another  bolder  go  forward,  going  die  in  the  furrow." 

Leette  replied,  ''Do  you  think  your  oath  startles 
me  ?  No  ! !  !  My  word  of  honor  is  better  than  all  the 
oaths  you  can  invent.  Oh  !  I  hate  them  so  I  I  wish 
I  had  that  live  one  here  !  I  tell  you  I  would  tear 
his  heart  out  with  my  teeth  in  less  time  than  you 
would  kill  him  !    I  love  you  because  you  hate  them." 

"  And  I  have  made  you  swear,  because  I  know  you 
so  well.  You  would  do  as  every  Southern  woman 
would :  let  the  enemy  know  you  are  an  enemy,  and 
put  him  on  his  guard.  That  is  the  act  of  a  fool. 
You  must  conceal  hate.  I  have  chosen  you,  because 
I  know  that  you  can  conceal  that  hate,  and  deceive 
them ;  can  lure  them  on,  until  they  are  beyond  hope, 
and  then,  push  them  over,  laughing  while  they  dis- 
cover who  did  it.  You  have  to  learn,  and  I  know 
you  are  capable,  the  intense  satisfaction  produced  by 
consciousness  of  doing,  of  saving  your  country,  when 
none  but  yourself  know  your  effectual  work.  In- 
deed, you  must  conceal  youi'  agency.    Y^ou  must  seem 


COTTON   STEALING.  251 

to  be  inconsistent  to  every  principle,  while  you  are 
sublimely  consistent  to  the  idea  of  your  labor.     This 
is  the  reestablishing  of  aristocratic  monarcliial  gov- 
ernment in  America.     The  democratic  idea  is  a  fal- 
lacy.    Every  man  who  so  believes  is  our  friend.    We 
must  use  him,  even  if  he  is  armed  to  fight  us.     Tlie 
North  has   more  aristocrats   than   the    South.     Of 
these,  many  wage  the  bitterest  war :  but  the  best  is, 
that   our  fastest   friends   are   those   democrats   who 
pride  themselves    on    their  democracy,    our   fastest 
friends  would  be  our  worst  foes  if  they  knew.     You 
must   understand    all    this    before  you    can   be   of 
the  greatest  possible  use.     When  our  enemies  play 
into  our  hands,  we  win  a  double  victory." 
"I  can  do  all  you  desire  without  an  oath." 
"  Leette,   tried  in  doubt,  danger,  and  death,  you 
are  true,  else  I  would  never  trust  you.     Your  heart 
and  soul  is  with  the  Confederacy,  or  I  had   never 
loved  [bah !  of  what  material  was  his  love?]  and  hon- 
ored you  with  this  confidence.     Believe  me,  I  under- 
stand and  appreciate  all  your  great  qualities,  honor 
and  esteem  and  worship  them.     Yet,  it  often  becomes 
necessary  for  a  man  engaged  in  great  enterprises,  to 
do  many  things  inconsistent  with  his  professions  and 
his  principles ;  acts  which  render  him  subject  to  the 
charge  of — worse  than  ingratitude,  worse  than  mean- 
ness, worse  than  criminality.     To  guard  against  any 
possible  danger  of  the  impulses  of  your  mind,  when 
you  should  for  any  reason  get  angry  with  me,  I  have 
laid  on  your  soul   the   binding  power  of  an  oath. 
You  have  willingly  entered  its  sacred  limit,  hedged 


252  COTTON  STEALING 

yourself  for  time  and  eternity  within  its  eternal  wall 
of  obligation,  and  are  no  longer  bound  merely  by 
what  you  now  regard  a  pleasant  duty,  but  by  the  ne- 
cessity of  almighty  responsibility,  and  implicit  self- 
imposed  obedience,  unquestioning,  unhesitating,  even 
when  disagreable  and  hateful.  More  than  this,  you 
are  now  a  member  of  an  organization.  This  imposes 
new  duties  and  new  responsibilities,  which  reach 
beyond  our  individual  selves,  over-top  our  loves,  our 
hates,  and  compel  us  to  lose  our  own  likes  and  dis- 
likes in  the  general  good.  There  are  elements  of 
destruction  sufficient  to  destroy  the  whole  North ;  but 
they  are  useless  because  unorganized.  The  essential 
element  of  success  is  secresy.  Now  that  you  are 
bound  to  secresy,  not  only  by  consciousness  of  an 
oath,  but  by  the  bond  of  secret  organization  you 
have  that  whereon  to  think.  I  am  inclined,  yes  I 
will  give  you  more,  I  will  test  your  honesty,  honor, 
and  faithfulness,  by  telling  you  I  never  shall  marry 
you.  What  I  have  told  you  of  marrying  a  Yankee, 
I  shall  exact  for  the  benefit  of  the  country.  I  do 
not  attempt  to  conceal  or  deceive,  I  do  not  fear  you 
nor  your  anger.  More  eyes  than  mine  watch,  and 
will  compel  you  to  fulfil.  But  I  know  you  better 
than  you  know  yourself.  From  this  time  forth  you 
must  be  like  myself,  dedicated  to  your  country. 
Think,  when  I  sought  you  first,  I  won  your  love  as  a 
woman,  in  order  that  I  might  consecrate  your  soul 
to  the  cause  of  patriotism.  You  gave  me  your  heart 
expecting  to  be  married.  I  test  that  heart  by  a 
higher    and    more    powerful   ordeal   than    common 


COTTON  STEALINQ.  263 

woman  can  endure.     Will  you  be  faithful  when  your 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

*'  Shall  I  introduce  you,  Miss  Ledonc?  " 

"No.  I  am  a  stranger,^-a  rebel.  I  want  to  be 
left  alone." 

Leette  has  come,  in  obedience,  to  Memphis.  She' 
is  here  in  the  loyal,  squelched  secessionist  family, 
where  La  Scheme  has  consigned  a  fiery,  passionate 
brain,  maddened  by  the  word  "think."  AVhat  has 
she  not  thought !  Every  thought  has  been  a  boiling 
bubble  in  her  mind-cauldron,  bursting  to  scald — fall- 
ing into  the  fused  thought-mass,  to  bubble,  burst, 
and  scald  again. 

Who  am  I  ?  Leette  Ledonc.  Where  am  I  ?  In 
the  South.  I  was  happy ;  1  was  rich ;  I  had  a  home ; 
I  had  a  country  ;  I  had  a  character ;  I  had  a  lover. 
What  am  I  ?  God  Almighty  !  and  oaths  which  the 
unwilling  ear  had  stopped  out — but  the  obedient  re- 
cordinor  sound  waves  answerinoj  nature's  law  had  left 
their  earotype — came  in  awful  succession,  pattering 
intense  footsteps  on  the  roof  of  her  tongue,  which 
education,  as  a  lady,  ordered  to  halt,  and  forbade  to 
vibrate  and  echo  in  the  ears  of  others.     Still,  they 


COTTON  STEALINO.  256 

were  palpable  to  the  stern  recording  angel,  a.,  each 
f«>ea  fype  of  passion  knocked  and  pounded  on  the 
uoor  barred  by  propriety. 

She  had  lost  faith-faith  in  herself,  and  faith  in 
the  man  to  whom  she  had  given  the  disposable  self, 
God  gives  to  every  woman.  Divided  and  thrown 
away-her  soul-that  she  liad  left-was  so  uneasy, 
so  lost,  so  alone,  as  to  be  of  value -less  than 
nothing;  at  sea  with  nothing  at  the  helm,  without  a 
rudder;  without  a  God,  save  as  innate  necessity  for 
religion  gave  meaning  to  the  oath,  "  G— d  d— m'  - 

The  lady  of  the  house  called  another  lady  by  a 
gesture  which  Leette  had  never  seen  but  once  "before, 
^he  signal,  repeated,  told  Leette  she  was  not  alone 
in  a  secret.  Repeating  the  same,  and  adding  still 
another,  the  young  lady  came  direct  and  sat  beside 
iier,  saving: 

rive?  ••'""  '''^  ^''"'^  *°  '""  ^°"'     '"^"'^  ^''^  y""  ^'•- 

"  An  hour  ago.     Do  you  live  here  ?  " 

"No.  I  am  here  "  [a  sign  which  Leette  again 
recognized]  "  to  spend  the  evening.  I  had  orders  to 
be  present. 

"  What  is  the  token  !  " 

"Obedience  without  question." 

"  Bo  jou  ask  or  seek  explanation  ?  " 

"The  heart,  consecrated  to  a  great  work,  never 
questions— only  '  What  shall  I  do  ?  '" 

"  What  is  the  work  to-night  ^  " 

^uleZlT     ^''"^"--*-     When  it  comes  it 


256  COTTON  STEALING. 

''  The  penalty  ?  " 

"  Death." 

Leette  had  more  food  for  thought.  There  was 
something  which  she  did  not  understand.  Soon 
after,  drawn  from  her  thought  by  a  movement, — 
they  were  in  a  recess  where  the  lady  of  the  house 
had  left  her, — whither  this  member  of  the  secret 
band  had  gone,  she  asked  : 

"  Who  is  that  officer  ?  " 

"  General  Solenter.  lie  has  recently  returned 
from  an  expedition  down  the  river." 

"  He  burnt  my  plantation,  gin,  and  quarters.  It 
was  his  gang  that  stole  my  cotton.  Vengeance!  " 
The  other  lady  placed  her  arm  around  her. 

"  Your  name  is  Leette  Ledonc.  I  am  to  meet  you 
here." 

''  Who  told  you  ?  ' 

"Kendal  La  Scheme." 

"  You  know  him  ?  "  , 

"  I  am  to  be  his  wife." 

"  Wife  !  " 

"  I  am  ordered  to  tell  you  that  none  are  worthy 
to  govern  a  kingdom  who  cannot  govern  themselves. 
The  vengeance  of  fury  is  impotent.  Be  calm  and 
obey." 

Leette  was  silent.  Comprehension  of  the  genius 
of  the  man  who  had  become  her  master  flashed,  and 
she,  too  proud  to  obey  a  woman,  remained  silent 
until  another  figure  passing  made  her  ask  : 

"  Who  is  that  ?  " 

"  The  Adjutant  General  Ilardone." 


COTTON    STEALING.  257 

"  Charles  Ilardone." 

"  What  do  joii  know  of  him  ?  " 

"  Is  that  wouian  his  wife  ?  "  * 

"  No.  His  intended,  Miss  Sandison,  daughter  of 
^hc  banker.  She  came  here  to  nurse  that  old  man 
yonder,  Mr.  Wirtman,  the  cashier.  Everyone  res- 
pects him.  Miss  Sandison  devotes  her  time  to  hospi- 
tals and  cares  for  the  wounded.  One  of  these  im- 
maculate Yankees.     Her  lover  is  very  faithful." 

"  I  will  tempt  and  win  him  from  her.  Come  with 
me." 

Will — what  is  it  ?  Purposeless ; — with  a  purpose. 
Time  past,  absolutely  lost.  Time  future,  pregnant 
with  the  results  of  earnest,  persistent  labor ;  a  point, 
a  line  divides  purposeless  from  purpose,  ^hat  is 
will? 

Leette  went  to  her  chamber.  There  at  her  dispo- 
sal were  garments  adapted  to  adorn  and  enhance  her 
natural  beauty.  Leette  selected  from  these,  those 
adapted  to  her  style  of  beauty,  with  unerring  judg- 
ment. A  slave  performed  menial  offices,  and  she 
consulted  her  companion  on  disputed  questions  of 
toilet  and  taste.  Engaged  in  the  Eleusinian  mys- 
teries, she  loosed  her  tongue  from  the  stiflf  formalities 
of  indifference,  made  a  virtue  of  necessity,  and  took  the 
leaguer  of  secret  oaths  into  the  sisterhood  of  a  com- 
mon confidence,  the  sympathy  of  common  rebellion, 
telling  her  the  story  of  her  wrong,  and  her  will  to  be 
revenged.  Leette  did  not  tell  how  La  Scheme  had 
trampled  on  her  love,  never  !  no,  never  !  Leette  had 
not  asked  the  meaning  of  the  firm  set  of  her  lip,  the 
17 


258  COTTON   STEALING. 

gritting  of  her  teeth,  when  this  other,  hj  the  word 
ivrfe  tohl  of  La  Scheme's  perfidy.  It  meant  re- 
venge— without  answer  or  even  question,  when, 
where  or  how — revenge  on  some  one,  on  something, 
revenge  in  its  first  burst,  in  its  full  fury,  was  directed 
on  the  burner  of  her  house,  on  the  invader  of  her 
state,  on  the  successful  Yankee.  As  for  La  Scheme, 
there  was  a  suspension  of  feeling ;  a  question  wheth- 
er he  was  false.  Let  him  if  he  dare.  She  was  his 
master,  he  might,  think  otherwise ;  that  will  which  he 
had  conquered  was  able  to  master  him  or  any  one. 
Knowledge  of  his  present  plans,  the  will  to  thwart 
them,  made  him  her  slave.  In  an  instant,  Leette 
Ledonc  had  become  the  woman  Kendal  La  Scheme 
had  discovered,  the  Ilazael  who  had  evil  concealed  in 
her  nature  to  qualify  her  to  be  a  devil,  Jezebel. 

When  Leette,  adorned  with  the  best  and  latest 
of  the  fashions — the  first  time  since  the  war  com- 
menced,-^saw  herself  in  the  drawing-room  mirror, 
she  was  strangely  startled.  Never  before  had  that 
Leette  been  seen  in  a  looking-glass.  The  inner  wo- 
man asked,  "Who  am  I?"  Thought,  "Ah!  I 
remember.     Good-bye,  Leette.     Good-bye  forever." 

The  ladv  rose,  astonished.  Some  Southern  women 
would  not  resume  the  fashions  because  their  rebel 
sisters  were  reduced  to  single  skirts  and  dresses. 
Fashion  belonged  to  the  North.  The  South  disdained 
the  Northern  fashion.  Leette  in  pride  had  rejected, 
but  now  resumed,  these  garments,  which  transformed 
her  into  a  regal  beauty. 

Leette  went  to  her  entertainer,  by  proud  manner 


COTTON    STEALING.  259 

freezing  any  ViOrd  which  surprise  or  courtesy  might 
have  prompted;  took,  as  of  right,  the  chief  seat. 
With  a  gesture  of  command  seated  the  lady  who  had 
been  with  her  at  her  side ;  then  entered  with  skill 
and  easy  self-posBession  into  conversation.  First, 
saying  to  the  lady  : 

"  Bring  the  General  here.  Do  not  let  him  know 
I  wish  to  see  him.  You  may  say  my  plantation  has 
been  destroyed  by  Federal  soldiers,  and  I  am  a 
Union  woman." 

The  lady  of  the  house  found  General  Solenter  in 
conversation  with  Alina  Sandison,  Mr.  Wirtman,  and 
his  adjutant.     Addressing  him,  she  said  : 

''  General,  you  have  never  seen  one  of  our  South- 
ern belles.  A  young  lady,  whose  plantation  you 
burned  on  your  last  raid  down  the  river,  has  come 
through  the  lines  and  sought  refuge  with  me.  I 
have  persuaded  her  to  come  down  this  evening,  and  I 
would  like  to  introduce  you,  if  you  have  no  objec- 
tions." 

"  She  must  be  a  rebel.  Has  she  taken  the  oath 
of  allegiance  ?  If  she  is  as  beautiful  as  you  des- 
cribe, she  may  be  more  dangerous  than  a  regiment." 

"  Oh,  yes ;  she  is  a  good  Unionist.  She  has  been 
under  the  cloud  of  circumstances,  as  have  we  all. 
She  was  born  South.  Her  home  was  here  until  you 
burned  it,  and  now  she  has  to  seek  safety  elsewhere. 
I  think  she  has  the  proper  protection  papers.  If 
she  has  not,  I  ask  you,  as  a  gentleman,  to  assist 
her." 

Taking  his  arm,  she  drew  the  general  away.     On 


260  COTTON  STEALING. 

his  part,  turning  to  his  friends,  he  invited  them  to 
come.  Mr.  Wirtman  declined ;  but  the  adjutant 
general,  putting  Lina's  hand  in  his  arm,  followed. 
A  general  without  his  adjutant  general  is  a  house 
without  a  wife.  Passing  through  the  drawing-room 
door,  the  splendid  beauty  of  Leette  Ledonc  came  as 
does  sunlight  on  the  eye  when  emerging  from  some 
subterranean  cavern. 

"  Is  not  she  magnificent !  That  is  beauty.  Lina, 
I  have  heard  of  Southern  beauty.  I  have  se^n  it. 
You  do  no  know  my  contempt  for  all  the  females  I 
have  seen  South.  They  fell  below  my  imagination. 
So  much  is  written  of  Southern  beauty,  I  had  con- 
ceived a  grand  ideal — a  perfect  woman.  I  was  so 
disappointed.  This  equals  my  grandest  expectation. 
Isn't  she  perfect  ?     What  an  eye  !  " 

"  She  seems  to  me  too  queenly,  Charlie.  I  have  a 
choking  sensation  as  I  look  at  her.  See  that  mouth  ! 
It  is  unrelenting.  She  could  kill  her  enemy.  I  hope 
she  will  never  hate  me." 

^'  I  wonder  who  she  can  be.  T^Hiat  a  grand  pres- 
ence she  has  !  Solenter  is  fairly  broken  up.  Bully  ! 
Wont  I  have  the  joke  on  him  !  Let  us  go  and  find 
out  who  she  is." 

Leette  had  no  intention  of  knowing  Charles  Ilar- 
done  at  present.  Taking  the  general's  arm,  she  led 
him  in  her  promenade  away  from  the  place  where  the 
two  were  standing,  and  so  averted  the  threatened  in- 
troduction. Before  she  met  the  general,  she  had 
requested  her  lady  friend  to  perform  on  the  piano 
until  she  should  stop  her  promenade.      That   lady 


COTTON    STEALING.  261 

asked  to  be  excused  :  ''Play  for  Federals — for  mis- 
erable Yankees  ?  No !  Her  harp  was  on  the  wil- 
lows." In  reply,  Leette  said,  "None  are  worthy  to 
govern  a  kingdom  who  cannot  command  themselves. 
The  vengeance  of  fury  is  impotent.  Be  calm  and 
oT)ey." 

When  Leette  took  the  general's  arm,  this  young 
lady,  turning  to  the  mistress,  said,  "Ask  me  to  play, 
and  take  no  denial."     The  hostess  proposed  music  ; 
invited  others,   who   successively  refused,  and  then 
asked  this  one.     She  entered  upon  that  line  of  ex- 
cuses every  lady-performer  has    by   heart,   until   a 
quick,  imperious  glance  from  Leette  recalled  her  to 
obedience,  when  she  arose  and  sitting  at  the  instru- 
ment, ran  a  prelude  upon  the  keys — such  as  an  ac- 
complished woman  who  has  had  no  servile  labor  to 
stiflfen  her  delicate  fingers,  who  has  had  harp-strings 
and  mother-of-pearl  keys  from  infancy,  can  instinc- 
tively perform — a  combination  of  memory-thoughts 
without  words ;  now  wailing,  now   triumphant ;  soft 
on  occasion,  then  increasing  to  victory.     Foro-etting 
herself  in  her  music,   she   fought  the  battle  of  the 
Confederacy  on  the  keys  before   her  —  skirmishincr 
the  attack,  charging  on  the  double-quick,  thundering 
the  repulse,  mourning  the  dead ;  weaving  in  snatches 
of  old  lessons  and  old  songs — the  "  Marseillaise  of 
Freedom";   "The   Mocking   Bird  of    the    South," 
and  "  The  Bonnie  Blue  Flag,  that  bears   a  single 
Star." 

Lina  Sandison,  repelled  [instinct]  by  Leette,  had 
no   anxiety  for   acquaintance.     The  promenade  re- 


262  COTTON  STEALING. 

moved  the  event.  This  music  drew  the  attention  of 
Charlie,  who  was  an  enthusiast.  Together  the  two, 
pledged  to  be  one,  stood  listening ;  drawn  near  the 
piano,  to  lose  no  single  note  of  the  varied  harmony 
so  lavishly  shed  in  obedience  to  command. 

This  was  Leette's  time.  Advancing  in  her  wajji 
until  she  stood  behind  the  performer  with  the  gen- 
eral ;  heedless  of  the  music ;  near  enough  to  be 
heard  by  Charlie  and  Lina;  she  said  to  the  general: 

"I  was  not  to  blame  for  the  act  of  the  guerillas." 

"  They  killed  five  of  my  men,  and  wounded  twenty. 
I  am  not  responsible  for  the  results  that  followed. 
Had  I  known  you  were  a  good  Union  lady,  I  should 
have  spared  your  mansion  and  quarters.  The  orders 
are  very  strict,  and  must  be  obeyed.  There  is  no 
other  way  of  preventing  this  outrage.  Open  warfare 
is  legitimate ;  but  to  ambuscade  a  transport,  and  kill 
as  do  those  assassins,  is  not  justified  by  any  laws  of 
civilized  warfare." 

"  You  do  not  know  who  you  may  injure  in  this  in- 
discriminate destruction.  I  do  not  care  so  much  for 
myself  in  this  instance  as  for  one  of  your  own  Union 
soldiers  who  had  been  taken  in  a  skirmish  by  the 
guerillas  and  left  at  my  house.  I  took  care  of  him 
myself.  The  best  Yankee  I  ever  saw,  gentle,  patient 
and  brave — a  hero.  I  learned  to  love  him.  He  told 
me  his  history.  How  he  loved  his  mother  !  I  think 
his  father  was  dead,  and  she  had  married  again." 
Leette  saw  her  arrow  had  struck.  Lina  Sandison's 
attention  had  been  gained.  Leette  put  her  hand 
on  the   player's   shoulder,  and  she  ceased,  turniug 


COTTON  STEALING.  263 

partly  from  the  instrument.  Leette  fixed  her  eye  on 
the  General,  directing  her  conversation  to  him,  not 
losing  a  movement  of  either  Charles  Hardone  or  his 
intended  :  "  Poor  fellow  !  lie  had  been  wounded  in 
his  right  arm,  had  been  ridden  down  and  ribs  were 
broken  ;  his  shoulder  was  injured,  I  think  dislocated, 
a  sabre  cut  had  lain  open  his  temple,  and  his  head 
was  otherwise  bruised.  The  most  dreadful  sight  you 
ever  saw.  I  nursed  him  until  he  was  nearly  well ; 
his  wound  had  closed  up  and  he  became  the  good 
looking  man  he  was.  I  think  his  brother  had  been 
shot  somewhere  in  Arkansas.  I  had  to  coax  liim 
back  to  life,  for  he  did  not  care  to  live.  Poor  fel- 
low," she  used  the  word  as  if  it  agreed  with  her  feel- 
ing, and  drew  a  deep  sigh,  "  he  had  been  disappointed 
in  love.  A  noble  man  ;  none  but  a  Northern  woman 
would  or  could  have  trampled  on  such  affection." 

Lina  without  introduction,  interested,  by  premoni- 
tion, asked,  ''  What  was  his  name  ?" 

Leette,  turning  full  upon  her,  answered,  "  James 
MantJt." 

"  What  became  of  him  ?"  asked  Hardone. 

"  The  shell  from  the  gun  boat  which  set  my  house 
on  fire,  burst  near  his  bed,  threw  a  beam  on  his  body, 
and  he  was  burnt  to  death." 

"Horrible!" 

"  Perhaps  you  knew  him  ?"  This  to  Lina.  To  the 
General,   "  Are  these  acquaintances  of  yours  ?" 

"  Excuse  me  Miss  Ledonc,  permit  me, — this  is 
Miss  Sandison." 

"  Her  first  name  ?" 


264  COTTON  STEALING. 

'^  Alina,"  answered  Charlie. 

"  That  caunot  be,  the  one  was  called  Allie." 

''  Your  friend  seems  moved,"  said  Leette  coldly. 
To  the  performer,  "  Did  you  ever  play  *  The  Battle 
of  Prague  ?'  "     She  answered, 

"  So  long  ago  I  have  forgotten.  Miss  Ledonc, 
Adjutant  Hardone  is  a  performer,  and  a  beautiful 
singer.     Persuade  him  to  sing  something  for  us." 

"General,"  said  Leette,  with  a  bewitching  smile, 
the  Adjutant  is  under  your  orders.  Will  you  issue 
one  for  the  benefit  of  the  company  ?" 

"  Perhaps,  Miss  Ledonc,  a  request  from  one  lovely 
as  yourself — one  who  has  sheltered  and  nursed  a 
friend  of  Lieut.  Hardone,  for  Manet  was  an  intimate 
friend  before  the  war — may  be  more  powerful  than  a 
command." 

"  A  friend  of  yours  !"  offering  her  hand  to  the  Ad- 
jutant. ''  Then  you  must  be  a  friend  of  mine.  James 
Manet  was  as  fine  a  Yankee  as  I  ever  met.  You 
must  have  loved  him.  I  loved  him.  Will  you  sing 
for  me  Adjutant?"  * 

Allic  Sandison  did  not  wait  to  hear  what  reply  her 
betrothed  would  make.  She  knew  certainly  that 
James  was  dead.  His  foster-father  was  in  the  next 
room.      To  him  she  would  break  this  news. 

"  Why  does  Miss  Sandison  leave  us  ?"  asked 
Leette. 

^'  James  Manet's  father  is  in  that  room,"  answered 
the  General.  "When  Miss  Sandison  came  among 
us,  it  was  at  the  request  of  Manet's  mother,  Mr. 
Wirtman  being  very  sick.  Miss  Sandison  had  a 
charge  for  this  same  Manet." 


COTTON  STEALING.  265 

"Ah,"  interrupted  Lectte,  "I  may  have  touched  a 
tender  cord.     Was  Manet  a  Corporal  ?" 

"Adjutant,  what  was  Manet  ?" 

"  A  Corporal,  when  he  enlisted.  Oh,  it  is  the 
same,  I  have  no  doubt.  Lina  feejs  badly.  His  sis- 
ter Lilly  and  she  were  great  friends,  before  Lilly  died. 
I  think  Lilly  gave  her  some  charge  for  him.  Lina 
would  have  saved  his  life  if  he  had  been  in  the  hospi- 
tal ;  she  is  a  glorious  nurse.  She  saved  old  Wirt- 
man's  life.  I  am  sorry  for  Mrs.  Wirtman.  James 
was  her  idol.  Such  is  war.  Poor  fellow  !  he  had 
hard  luck." 

Miss  Ledonc  prompts  the  pianist,  "  Adjt.  Hardone 
is  not  only  a  singer,  he  is  a  composer.  He  has  songs 
of  all  kinds." 

"  Really,  Miss  Ledonc,  you  must  excuse  me,  I 
have  a  very  bad  cold.  I  could  not  do  justice  to  my 
voice  to-night." 

"  Now  Adjutant,  said  Leette,  coquetishly,  "you 
would  not  refuse  me.  I  am  not  accustomed  to  denial, 
and  perhaps  I  will  promise  to  grant  your  request 
when  you  are  very  much  in  earnest." 

"  On  such  conditions  I  cannot  refuse.  But  what 
shall  I  sing?" 

"  Love  !  love  !  We  have  the  reality  of  war.  Sing 
of  love  ;  an  old  song,  one  you  made  before  there  was 
any  war,  when  we  were  all  brothers.  Did  you  make 
songs  then  ?" 

Leette  looked  into  his  face  with  an  earnest,  inno- 
cent question,  as  if  the  deep  w^oman  was  not  schem- 
ing to  measure  his  soul,  to  fathom  the  amount  of  pain 


266  COTTON  STEALING. 

this  death  of  an  old  friend,  who  had  rehnquished  his 
opportunity  to  gain  a  woman's  love,  abandoned  it  in 
his  favor  when  the  right  was  certainly  disputable,  the 
pain  this  death  gave  him. 

"  I  did  sometimes  think  I  was  a  poet  then,  but 
since  I  have  been  ashamed  of  my  early  efforts,  and 
have  almost  forgotten  them." 

"  How  can  you  say  so.  You  are  too  proud.  You 
cannot  forget.  Do  now.  General,  (flattering)  sing  us 
one  of  those  old  love  songs." 

Thus  urged,  Hardone  seated  himself  and  sang  the 
same  song,  the  same  air,  that  James  Manet  heard 
when  he  relinquished  claim  to  AUie  Sandison's  love. 
Allie  Sandison,  now  a  true  woman,  heard  those  words, 
that  chorus — 

Love's  sweet  tone,  love  alone, 
Proving  that  though  tune  roll  by, 
Love  can  never  die, 

and  the  evening  before  the  war  came  back  into  her 
mind  as  a  picture.  The  sofa,  the  piano — her  piano, 
Charlie  .  singing,  his  abrupt  invitation,  her  answer, 
the  good-night,  and  that  no  so  clear  that  James'  voice 
seemed  in  her  ear.  Then  the  good-bye  in  the  church 
yard.  Henry  dead,  James,  both  dead.  Lilly  Sue 
gone,  and  James  Manet  loved  her,  and  went  to  the 
war  because  he  loved  her ;  killed,  too,  when  a  prisoner, 
by  a  shell  from  one  of  our  own  gun-boats.  She  re- 
membered her  dream. 

"Beautiful,  beautiful,"  exclaimed  Leette.  "You 
are  a  poet.     You  must  sing  often  to  me." 

At  this  moment,  Kendal  La  Scheme  came  to  the 
general  and  shook  hands  cordially  with  him. 


COTTON  STEAl.ING.  267 

"WTio  is  that  man?"  asked  Leette. 
''One  of  our  cotton  speculators." 
"Is  that  so?" 

"  Yes.  Very  successful.  He  has  made  a  million 
of  dollars." 

"  Will  you  introduce  me  ?     I  have  cotton  to  sell." 

"  You,  cotton  to  sell !  How  much  ?  I  can  help 
you." 

"  Is  it  possible  I  How  fortunate  !  You  know  I 
have  lost  everything  save  a  few  bales  of  cotton,  -vs  hich 
are  hidden  away  to  keep  the  Confederates  from  burn- 
ing them.  If  you  will  be  so  kind  as  to  show  me 
what  I  am  to  do,  you  will  put  me  under  the  greatest 
obligations  which  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  repay." 

General  Solenter  speaking  to  Leette  says  : 

"  Miss  Ledonc,  permit  me  to  make  you  acquainted 
with  Mr.  La  Scheme."  She  bowed  most  distantly, 
then  moved  away  with  Charles  Hardone. 

"  One  of  these  aristocrats  who  think  the  ground 
too  good  for  their  feet,"  said  La  Scheme. 

"  Or  perhaps  you  are  too  good  a  Union  man,"  sug- 
gested the  general. 

"  I  do  not  know.  She  may  have  some  cotton  some- 
where. Then  she  will  talk  to  me  if  I  show  the  green- 
backs. Money  buys  them  all.  General.  She 
wouldn't  be  bad  to  take,  eh.  General  ?  " 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

A  woman,  really  fallen,  is  nearer  the  devil  than  a 
fallen  man.  Leette  hated  herself  because  she  loved 
La  Scheme.  Hated  him  because  he  had  deceived 
her.  Yet  loved  him  because  he  hated  the  Yankees. 
Admired  him  for  his  manly  physique ;  was  fascinated 
by  his  animal  magnetism.  Yea,  verily,  wept  for  vex- 
ation in  her  thought-moments,  because  she  had  to 
love.  She  acknowledged  to  herself  that  he  might 
trample,  discard,  neglect;  yet  would,  could  not  but 
love  him.  This  galled  her  pride,  and  tears  brought 
no  relief.  She  took:  vengeance  on  her  .own  weakness 
by  revenge  on  others.  How  a  proud  heart  is  cauter- 
ized by  seeing  itself  read,  understood,  and  applauded 
by  the  one  of  all  others  it  would  deceive !  Yet,  even 
in  this  comes  consolation. 

La  Scheme  avoided  Leette's  presence  in  person ; 
making  care  for  her  comfort  keep  an  unseen  pres- 
ence in  constant  memory.  The  lady  of  the  League 
took  her  home. 

'' How  long  have  you  known  Mr.  La  Scheme?" 
Leette  asked  when  they  were  in  theii*  apartments. 


COTTON  STEALING.  269 

"  Since  Memphis  was  taken.  Not  until  very  re- 
cently has  he  formed  the  League.  Very  few  are 
permitted  to  enter,  lest  all  should  not  be  true.  You, 
chosen  to  danger,  are  appointed  to  command ;  we  to 
obey.  Visitors  will  come  to  see  you  ;  each  of  whom 
will  leave  a  parcel,  which  must  be  passed  safely 
through  the  lines.  Ignorance  tells  no  tales.  Most 
of  those  who  come  here  will  know  you  only  by  the 
sympathy  of  rebellion.  You  must  do  the  rest. 
Kendal  has  great  confidence  in  those  lie  cuts  away 
and  sends  abroad  to  pilot  their  own  course.  I  know 
you  are  a  pilot  since  last  night." 

"  I  am  a  pilot — captain  and  men  to  spare.  La 
Scheme  is  right." 

The  mansion  of  Leette's  friends  had  been  erected 
by  cultivated  taste,  regardless  of  expense ;  had 
been  furnished  after  its  master  and  mistress  returned 
from  travel  in  foreign  parts,  where  they  came  in 
contact  with  every  appliance  of  elegant  life  and  lux- 
urious ease.  Its  pictures  were  painted  by  masters 
of  olden  time ;  were  paid  for  with  the  wages  of  men 
and  women,  and  by  the  sale  of  their  children.  Its 
carpets  were  soft  as  down ;  its  library  adorned  with 
elegant  editions  of  standard  works.  Music  and  art 
were  not  neglected.  The  owner  of  thousands  of 
human  beings  and  large  plantations,  in  Tennessee, 
Mississippi,  and  Arkansas,  had  all  that  heart  could 
wish.  Why  not?  The  garden  was  beautiful  as 
Eden.  Prolific  in  shrubbery;  box-wood  borders; 
roses,  whose  fragrance  and  name  was  legion ; 
climbing,  twining  woodbines  ;  grapes ;  honey-suckles ; 


270  COTTON  STEALING. 

hedges  of  evergreen ;  magnolias  and  peach-trees  ;  an- 
nuals and  perennials  ;  and  the  fairy,  spidery  crape- 
myrtle  ;  evergreens  trimmed  into  polygons  and  dia- 
monds. All  this  without  sacrificing  the  green  lawn. 
A  conservatory,  a  small  fountain,  wide  walks,  nar- 
row paths,  a  summer-house,  an  arbor,  bee-hives, — 
all  of  these,  anfl  more,  were  arranged  with  skill  by 
lavish  expense  of  labor  and  exquisite  taste.  A 
flower  of  the  Spice  Islands  transplanted. 

What  a  home  those  wealthy  Southerners  had  ! 
Nature  opened  a  full  lap  and  besought  them  to  adorn 
life  with  beauty.  God  gave  them  the  richest,  most 
,  glorious  part  of  the  Union.  They  cursed  it  first  with 
slavery,  then  with  rebellion.  Satan  and  his  angels 
fell  from  heaven. 

Such  a  home  La  ocheme  gave  Leette  Ledonc,  as  a 
base  of  operations.  Master  and  mistress  were  her 
slaves.  The  gentleman  she  called  Uncle  was  an  ab- 
sent rebel.  The  lady  she  called  Aunt,  the  young 
ladies  she  called  Cousins,  were  too  bitter  secesh  to 
open  shutters  or  doors  to  the  invader.  Leette  threw 
everything  open.  They  would  not  complain  of  sol- 
diers, whose  taste  for  beauty  picked  flowers  and  ever- 
geens  (with  the  license  of  children  on  May-day)  in  a 
rebel's  garden.  A  few  regiments  of  lovers  of  nature 
would  pick  all  the  flowers  in  Paradise.  If  that  Par- 
adise was  in  rebellion,  would  trample  the  borders, 
break  down  the  plants,  ruin  the  walks,  and  make 
the  Garden  of  Eden  a  desert.  Leette  would  not 
complain,  would  do  better — obtain  a  guard  which 
should  protect  the  premises  and  her  contraband  (|f 


COTTON    STKALING.  271 

war.  A  bold  woman,  Leette,  to  board  the  lion  in  his 
den.  Many  an  old  man  has  lost  his  spectacles  over 
his  nose. 

To  tills  end  Leette  prepared  an  entertainment  of 
the  rarest  viands,  exhausting  the  sutler's  stock  of  del- 
icacies and  the  wines  of  the  wholesale  dealer.  It 
would  not  cost  more  than  one  bale  of  cotton.  Every- 
thing was  skillfully  prepared  by  servants,  who  were 
personally  attached  to  those  who  loaned  them  to  ac- 
complish the  mission  entrusted  to  her  care. 

General  Solenter  and  staff  were  special  guests, 
treated  with  distinguished  consideration.  No  one 
obnoxious  to  the  federals  was  per^nitted  to  be  pres- 
ent. No  one  whose  hatred  to  the  Yankees  was  be- 
yond control,  who  could  not  hide  and  conceal  con- 
tempt and  scorn,  so  deep  it  could  not  slip  from  the 
eye  or  curl  on  the  lip,  was  invited.  A  sort  of  living 
torture,  where  the  victim  is  self-immolated. 

In  the  beautiful,  glorioususunset,  she  led  them  to 
easy  seats  on  the  colonnaded  portico,  whence  they 
could  look  over  the  broad  river,  glistening  with  gold, 
to  the  opposite  bank ;  before  them  the  treasure  of 
art,  and  still  more  distant  the  wild  realm  of  trees, 
rolling  their  forest  of  green,  in  long  waves,  toward 
the  setting  sun.  A  slave  brought  a  box  of  fragrant 
cigars,  and  the  gentlemen  were  left  to  enjoy  their 
ease. 

On  her  return,  the  General,  feeling  that  glow  of 
enjoyment,  compounded  of  good  feeding,  good  drink- 
ing, good  smoking,  coolness  after  a  tropical  day,  fell 
into  the  trap  set  so  deftly. 

If 


272  COTTON    STEALING. 

"  This  is  magnificent !  Such  scenery  !  Such  lux- 
uriance !  Such  beauty  !  I  could  live  here  forever. 
No  wonder  your  people  love  their  homes.  I  should 
fight  for  them  if  in  your  places. 

Leette  quietly   pointed  to  the  fence,    which  had 

been  torn  off  for  fuel,  and  through  which,  as  if  by  her 

Orders,  certainly  for   her    benefit,  two  soldier  boys 

made  entrance  to  the  garden,  pulled  some  flowers, 

and  quietly  looked  at  the  General  on  the  piazza. 

Volunteer  officers,  who  owe  their  position  to  ability, 
to  patriotic  devotion  to  the  cause  of  their  coun- 
try, who  have  won  their  spurs  in  fair  fight,  are  res- 
pected. These  men  were  not  afraid.  When  they 
enlisted  in  his  company,  he  had  promised  them  a 
sergeantcy  for  obtaining  five  men.  This  they  had 
done,  and  he  violated  his  word.  To  be  sure,  he  was 
now  general,  but  they  knew  him  before  he  was  even  a 
captain ;  and  as  their  eyes  caught  sight  of  him  in 
magnificent  ease,  they  cursed  from  the  select  vocabu- 
lary of  a  soldier's  oaths;  ending  eachbrimstony  com- 
mendation with  words  like  villain,  rascal,  and  devil. 

He  heard  no  sound,  but  seeing  their  eyes,  and 
knowing  their  cause  for  hate,  comprehended  the  sig- 
nification of  their  low  ejaculations.  It  angered 
him,  and  Leette's  look  of  silent  comment  on  his  power- 
lessness  [military  despotism  cannot  bind  the  soul] 
touched  him  to  the  quick.  Gen.  Scienter  turned  ab- 
ruptly to  his  adjutant : 

"  Order  a  detail  to  do  guard-duty  on  these  pre- 
mises to-morrow  morning  and  continue  the  same  until 
further  orders.     You  understand?  " 


COTTON  STEALING.  273 

Har done  looked  at  him  with  surprise ;  then  at  Lc- 
ette ;  then  at  the  soldiers,  before  he  answered,  "  1 
do." 

''  Attend  to  it,  then."  To  Lectte  he  said,  "  If  my 
men  give  you  trouble  let  me  know  of  it  immediately. 
I  will  teach  them  to  respect  private  property." 

Leette  could  not  keep  joy  from  her  eyes,  though 
no  action  expressed  emotion.  In  that  cellar  was  con- 
cealed a  hundred  pounds  of  rifle  powder,  in  her 
trunk  a  box  of  opium,  in  her  wardrobe  and  drawers 
of  the  other  ladies  in  the  house,  quinine,  percussion 
caps,  and  other  small  but  valuable  articles.  Each 
new  day  increased  their  store  from  the  secret  agents 
who  were  found  and  organized  by  Kendal  La  Scheme. 
No  underground  railroad  was  ever  more  successful, 
or  transportation  more  safe. 

lie  had  formed  a  band  of  complotters  on  the  basis 
of  Alexander  the  Great.  A  mule  loaded  with— not 
gold,  but  cotton,  entered,  and  was  stabled  in  the  patri- 
otic city  of  New  York.  Secretly,  by  marks  known 
to  the  initiated,  articles  of  necessity  had  been  con- 
cealed in  barrels  and  boxes,  shipped  to  various  locali- 
ties, from  whence,  by  re-shipment,  they  found  their 
way  to  Memphis.  This  was  a  commissariat  from 
which  the  South  was  to  obtain  supplies,  and  the 
rebel  army  indispensable  medicines,  percussion  caps, 
boots  and  shoes,  and  even  clothing. 

Every  day,  males  on  tlie  outer  hne  of  brotherhood, 

passed  into  the  hands  of  females,  sworn  only  by  their 

deadly  hatred  of  the  Yankees,  over  the  counter,  small 

parcels  which  were,  deftly  hidden   in   their  morning 

18 


274  COTTON  STEALTXa. 

purchases.  Leette  Ledonc  was  placed  here  to  super- 
intend their  passage  through  the  lines. 

By  her  first  move,  she  obtained  a  guard.  Of 
course,  no  bulky  articles  could  pass  either  way;  but 
at  this  time,  as  always,  medicine  was  in  grej^t  demand 
both  for  the  country  and  the  army.  At  this  time, 
aided  by  the  wii;iter,  holding  Grant  in  check  at  Me- 
ridian,— all  along  the  course  of  the  Yazoo  from  Old 
river  near  Vicksburg,  past  the  batteries  at  Haine's 
Bluifs  to  Yazoo  City  and  thence  to  Gen.  Pemberton's 
head-quarters,  medicine  was  more  necessary  to  the 
comfort  and  life  of  the  army  than  powder  or  boots 
and  shoes. 

Leette's  second  move  was  a  pleasant  one  to  her. — 
She  had  determined  to  wound  and  vex  the  Yankee 
girl,  to  make  her  jealous,  if  no  more  ;  if  possible,  to 
destroy  mutual  confidence,  break  her  heart.  To  that 
end  the  smiles  of  a  coquette  were  lavished :  La 
Scheme's  lessons  in  will  power,  the  animal  electricity, 
which  every  strong  will  can  exert,  coupled  with  tenlpt- 
ing  female  display,  was  thrown  around  the  Adjutant 
General  who  was  fool  enou^^h  to  believe  himself  the 
fascinator,  who  had  no  more  principle  than  to  go 
willingly  into  the  meshes  of  the  human  spider. 

''  Enter  not  into  the  path  of  the  wicked,  and  go  not 
in  the  way  of  evil.  Avoid  it,  pass  not  by  it,  turn 
from  it  and  pass  away.  The  lips  of  a  strange  woman 
drop  as  a  honeycomb  and  her  mouth  is  smoother  than 
oil.  But  her  end  is  bitter  as  w^ormwood,  sharp  as  a 
two-edged  sword." 

The  soldier  who  can  forget  himself,  his  honor,  his 


COTTON  STEALING.  275 

country,  and  speculate  in  cotton,  finds  it  easy  to  vio- 
late the  plighted  troth  of  his  youth  and  tread  upon 
the  heart  he  has  taught  to  trust  in  him.    Charlie  Har- 
done  never  dreamed  where  his  steps  would  lead  when 
he,  (crafty  Leette)  boasting  of  his  horse,  was  led  to 
challenge  her  to  try  speed  with  the  fleet  racer  Janie. 
She  accomplished  another  result.     She  brought  La 
Scheme  Ij^ck.     This  was  their  conversation  : — 
"  Have  you  forgotten  ?  " 
"What  have  I  to  forget?" 

"  Yourself  and  3'our  country.  The  sale  of  cotton, 
whereby  you  provide  sinews  of  war.  You  have  taken 
up  a  low-lived  Yankee  hireling."   • 

"  What  right  have  you  to  be  jealous  ?  You,  who 
have  a  wife  in  every  place." 

"  Then  you  listen  to  every  idle  rumor." 
"  Call  you  idle  rumor  the  true  words  of  one  sworn 
to  communicate  your  own  commands  ?     Ordered  to 
speak  this  word  to  madden  me." 

"  You  deceived  !  Leette  Ledonc  !  You  !  I  thought 
you  knew  me  better.  Woman,  why  cannot  you  raise 
your  thougjits  higher  !  Are  you,  too,  caught  by  the 
chaff  which  blinds  common  birds  ?  " 

"  Kendal  La  Scheme,  do  not  imagine  you  have 
power  longer  to  deceive  me.  I  am  free.  One  bond 
remains  between  us,  and  one  only — I  obey  while  you 
remain  faithful  to  our  country.  All  other  hnks  that 
held  me  are  broken.  Master  in  the  art  of  deception, 
thou  art  deceived." 

"  Then,  at  length,  we  know  each  other.  I  have 
not  worked  in  vain,  since,  by  breaking  your  woman- 


276  COTTON  STEALING. 

thought  of  love,  I  have  made  an  army  for  my 
country." 

"  Beware  of  my  vengeance.  "When  you  marry 
other  than  myself,  as  you  have  sworn,  I  will  enter 
your  house  and  destroy  your  peace.  Her  you 
falsely  call  wife  shall  wish  herself  in  hell  rather 
than  have  crossed  the  path  of  Leette   Ledonc." 

"  I  laugh  at  your  threats.  I  fear  not.  The  day 
will  never  come.  Do  not  you  who  follow  the  beck 
and  nod  of  this  false  abolitionist  perceive  no  cause  of 
fear  ?     Already  you  are  marked." 

"  Ha !  ha !  How  much  quinine  have  you  given 
me  ?  Where  is  it  now  ?  When  my  friends  are  mis- 
led, well  may  I  fear  no  detection  from  an  enemy.  I 
rode  him"  a  race.  I  led  him  beyond  the  lines.  They 
did  not  challenge  me.  Oh,  no  !  The  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral needed  no  pass.  His  company  was  beyond  sus- 
picion. I  took  out  more  at  one  time  than -you  got 
out  in  a  week ;  won  the  race  with  Janie,  who  came 
back  much  lighter  than  she  went." 

"  But  you  were  thrown  ?" 

"You  are  well  informed.  I  thrown?  Janie 
throw  me  !  What  penetration !  Yes,  I  was  thrown, 
and  when  thrown  was  rescued  by  a  woman,  who  has 
sent  the  contraband  of  war  to  a  man  who  loves  and 
would  die  for  me." 

"  Not  James  Manet ;  he  is  dead." 

"•  Ah  !  you  believed  that.  Master,  mind  you  are 
not  the  equal  of  Leette.  He  is  not  dead.  I  am  glad 
you  are  jealous  of  him.  He  is  alive,  if  he  loves  me. 
Such  love  is  priceless.     I  never  would  have  given 


COTTON    STEALING.  277 

Allie  Sandison  to  Lieut.  Ilardoue.  She  has  a  heart. 
I'll  trample  on  it.  You  ordered  me  to  marry  a  Yan- 
kee, and  kill  him.  I  may  obey.  You  promised  to 
be  mine  when  he  was  dead.  Dare  to  violate  your 
word!  Contraband  to  a  corporal  in  the  federal 
army  !  Yon  are  blind  !  You  command  me  to  spec- 
ulate in  cotton, — you,  an  old  speculator,  who  have 
made  a  million  dollars.  Oh !  Kendal  La  Scheme, 
you  never  will  deceive  Leette  again.  I  am  speculat- 
ing. I  have  ordered  ten  bales  of  cotton,  delivered, 
and  I  already  have  the  price  in  my  possession." 

Then  La  Scheme  took  Leette  down.  "  Leette  you 
are  a  jewel — a  priceless  jewel.  Your  name  shall 
have  a  place  in  history,  when  we  are  free  from  war 
and  possess  our  independence.  You  are  better  than 
I  ever  expected,  than  I  ever  imagined.  I  have  only 
one  fault  to  find.  You  did  not  make  it  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  boat  which  gets  your  cotton  to 
carry  supplies  to  the  plantation." 

"  Did  you  know  it  ?" 

"  Of  course  I  knew.  The  money  came  from  San- 
dison's  bank.  The  General  is  a  party  to  the  trans- 
action, and  asked  my  advice  before  engaging.  I 
approved  and  urged,  because  you  have  been  stripped 
of  all  your  property.  Well  done.  I  was  only  try- 
ing you.  The  test  is  eminently  satisfactory.  Go  on 
as  now.  A  rich  reward  awaits,  whether  you  crave 
the  destruction  of  your  enemies,  the  success  of  your 
friends,  or  your  own  aggrandizement.  There  are  two 
things,  now,  of  prime  importance,  and  you  have  bet- 
ter opportunities  than  I.      To  your  consummate  tact 


278  COTTON    STEALING. 

they  are  entrusted.  I  cannot  be  more  than  assistant, 
until  the  moment  for  assistant  to  be  chief.  The  first 
is  to  get  from  the  Adjutant  the  news  of  this  expedi- 
tion to  Vicksburg.  The  second,  to  sell  those  thous- 
and bales  of  Confederate  States  cotton.  Are  we 
friends,  Leette?" 

La  Scheme  offered  his  hand.      She  took  the  hand, 
and  called  herself  a  fool  when  he  had  gone. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

Two  minds  conflict.     The  strength  of  two  inde- 
pendent  creations,  endowed   with  infinity,  eternity, 
and    personality,    meet    in    antagonism    on    equal 
ground,  with  like  determination  and  energy.    Death 
only  can  end  their  strife,  if  neither  will  yield.     Will 
they  fight  after  death  ?     Endless  war  is  hell.     There 
is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked.     Can  the 
souls  of  men  and  women,  who  hate  the  people  of  the 
North,  ever  dwell  in  unity  again  ?     La  Scheme — a 
politician,  a  mere  self  man — can  accommodate  him- 
self to  any  change.     Can  a  woman — who,  from  the 
almost  impossibility  of  being  a  soldier,  is  unable  tO 
inhale  the  actual,  real,  absolute  experience  of  a  cam- 
paign ;  made  up  of  thought-lightnings,  will-electrici- 
ties,    eternity-anxieties,     huge    forcshadowings    of 
impending  destruction ;  of  watch  in  battle,  in  thun- 
der   and    rain;    without    fire,   shivering;    in   camp, 
starving  ;    in   the   smoke  near  burnished  steel — can 
a  woman,  with  the  soul  of  a  man,  make  up  her  mind 
to  yield  and  accept  peace  from  the  hand  against  whom 
she  has  rebelled? 


280  COTTON  STEALING. 

Lcette  Ledonc  had  come  to  no  such  pass.  Ilate 
was  .furious  when  within  the  mind.  But  new  emotions 
expelled  those  equally  strong,  and  she  was  a  mirror 
when  with  Alice  Sandison,  whose  society  she  court- 
ed. Why  ?  This  was  the  reason.  From  her  a  cas- 
ual remark  opened  a  shutter  in  the  Adjutant  General's 
office.  Another  from  Lina's  father  put  her  face 
against  the  window.  Charlie  Hardone  threw  it  open. 
General  Solentcr  by  an  inadvertent  admission,  invited 
her  in,  and  the  combination  of  all  these  varied  no- 
things were  clear  as  her  eye  behind  the  Adjutant 
General's  shoulder  reading  the  official  order  from  the 
Commander-in-chief. 

Leette  was  a  mirror  in  which  Allie  Sandison  saw  a 
friend,  because  for  the  moment,  pure  thoughts  and 
good  intentions  were  reflected.  Allie  Sandison,  pos- 
itive in  her  character  as  Leette  Ledonc  in  hers.  Allie 
the  woman,  no  longer  Lina  the  girl.  Character  de- 
veloped, mind  mature,  will,  strong  with  the  immobility 
of  educated  principles. 

I  rc:nember  standing  nearly  two-third«i  of  a  whole 
forenoor-  on  the  paved  levee  in  front  of  Memphis, 
Tennessee,  while  a  captain  who  had  oversight  of  all 
the  steamboats,  as  a  deputy  Provost  Marshal,  most 
earnestly  deplored  the  demoralizing  influence  of  the 
war  on  soldier's  wives,  on  young  females  who  came 
into  the  lines  searching  for  wounded  brothers  and 
friends.  Official  duty  put  him  on  guard  where  he 
must  watch  closely  every  man  and  woman  who  came 
into  or  went  out  of  our  army  lines,  a  scrutiny  which 


rOTTON  STEALING.  281 

palliated  no  hypocritic  sanctity  and  excused  no  pitiful 
evasion  ;  where  he  saw  so  painful  sights  as  made  him 
declare  that  purity  was  exertional.  Traveling  wives 
of  soldier  and  officer,  nurses  in  hospital  too  came 
within  his  observation  condemned  ;  and  he  asked 
with  the  earnestness  of  a  grey  haired  man  : — "  What 
is  the  country  coming  to  ?  "     i 

Allie  Sandison,  in  the  midst  of  such  corruption, 
was  no  negative.  The  Almighty  God  of  virtue  made 
her  spotless  ;  every  one  seeing,  felt  her  purity. 
Many,  females  in  particular,  often  deplore  their 
small  opportunity  of  usefulness.  Why  were  they  not 
men  ?  Why  did  not  Providence  make  them  saviours 
of  their  country  ?  Allie  Sandison,^unconscious  of 
doing  anything,  Allie  Sandison, — living  a  pure  wo- 
man, where  men  were  distrusting  themselves,  dis- 
trusting God,  distrusting  all  men,  all  women,  losing 
faith  in  all  their  former  conceptions  of  possible  virtue 
and  holiness — where  man's  own  birth  was  branded  in 
common  oaths  as  doomed  offspring  of  contempt — 
Alhe  Sandison,  a  living  refutation  of  that  idea  born 
in  the  border  thought-land  of  perdition — Allie  San- 
dison, any  woman,  every  woman,  who  so  lives  as  to 
impress  cotemporaneous  minds  with  the  truth  of 
angelhood  and  purity ;  white-robed  in  words,  white- 
robed  in  thought,  white-robed  in  action, — has  ful- 
filled one  great  mission  of  life.  That  woman  who,  in 
this  war,  has  come  in  contact  with  the  army,  and 
maintained  a  spotless  Christian  character,  may  thank 
God  for  the  opportunity  of  vindicating  the  honor  of 
womanhood. 


282  COTTOx\    STEALING. 

This  was  the  Allic  Sandison,  who,  thinking  no 
evil,  also  sougbt  the  society  of  Leette  Ledonc.  To 
the  pure,  all  things  are  pure.  The  angel  fallen  can 
assume  the  semblance  of  fight.  Addison  sajs  hy- 
pocrisy is  the  homage  vice  pays  to  virtue.  Leette 
Ledonc  thought  neither  of  the  Bible  nor  of  Addison. 
While  AUie  sought  to^'in  a  mistaken  love,  to  show 
her  Southern  sister's  .professed  Union  heart  tinctur- 
ed with  bitterness,  that  a  true  Union  woman  had  no 
hate,  no  ill-will,  no  animosity,  Leette,  conscious  how 
poorly  she  concealed  her  mind,  professed  to  love  the 
kind  spirit,  and  sought  to  hide  every  part  of  herself 
which  had  an  evil  countersign.  There  were  mutual 
attractions  as  well  as  repulsions.  As  a  hoyden  girl 
calls  her  gentle  mate  to  the  seat  on  the  extreme  end 
of  the  board,  whose  center  is  balanced  on  a  fence  be- 
tween, so  Leette  played  with  Allie,  designing  when 
she  was  well  up  in  the  air  to  let  her  fall. 

James  Manet  was  a  link  between.  No  true  wo- 
man can  ever  hear  of  a  man's  generous  love  unmoved. 
When  she  cannot  love  back,  she  respects — gives  that 
love  next  to  love,,  pity.  Thinking  him  dead,  she, 
regardless  of  consequences,  chose  language  which 
his  heart  would  have  thrilled  to  hear ;  which  made 
Leette  jealous  and  revengeful.  Her  big  heart,  long- 
ing for  love,  unsatisfied ;  avenging  her  wrongs  on 
one  engaged  to  another.  '  What  did  the  rebel  care 
for  Charlie  Hardone,  that  she  strove  to  win  him  from 
his  allegiance  ?  Why  did  she  begrudge  the  afi"ection 
she  knew  James  Manet  gave  without  reserve,  without 
hoping  for  return  ?      It  was  useless  to  her  who  loved 


COTTON  STEALING.  283 

and  hated  La  Scheme.  But  while  with  Allie,  her 
face  was  unsulHed  by  a  frown,  or  tossing  on  the  leaves 
of  emotion  to  indicate  a  tempest  breaking  on  the 
strong  branches  of  the  trees  of  passion ;  her  black 
eye  was  a  perfect  foil,  telling  no  tales.,  Iler  gheek 
had  ever  a  smile ;  her  lip,  bound  by  the  will  to  please, 
found  no  trouble  to  obey  the  impulse  of  good  nature. 
Besides,  respect  paid  involuntary  tribute  to  inno- 
cence, good  intentions  and  love,  so  far  as  to  call 
forth  an  aspiration.  Oh  !  I  wish  you  were  a  rebel  ! 
But  being  a  Yankee,  no  matter  how  great  the  attrac- 
tion, she  must  hate^ 

Leette  was  a  mirror,  where  Sandison  saw  a  mere 
scheming,  worldly-wise  woman,  who  was  smart  even 
to  surprise  him  by  her  sharpness ;  who  had  no  con- 
science in  a  bargain ;  who  asked,  demanded  as  a 
right,  what  would  have  sent  a  man  to  the  guard- 
house and  military  prison  for  suggesting. 

Leette  was  not  a  mirror  to  Charlie  Hardone,  in 
that  a  mirror  reflects.  She  gave  him  pictures ;  but 
not  those  his  imagination  would  have  seen ;  since 
he  had  broadly  put  his  foot  on  the  slope  of  destruc- 
tion and  walked  backwards.  He  was  between  two 
angels — above  was  his  affianced,  calling  him  up- 
wards;  behind  was  Leette,  calling  him  down.  Ilis 
face  turned  over  his  shoulder  —  backwards,  where 
enough  was  exposed  to  tempt  him  to  turn  his  back 
on  truth,  purify,  and  love.  In  fact,  Alhe  loved  him 
too  well. 

Around  the  head-quarters  of  many  Western  gen- 
erals [the  East  I  know  nothing  of.     It  claims  virtue. 


284  COTTON    STEALING. 

I  tell  what  I  have  seen,  and  I  have  seen  no  great 
pretensions  to  immaculate  purity  among  people  of 
the  West]  are  numbers  of  fast  men,  whose  interests 
lead  them  to  fawn  upon  those  in  power ;  who  lie  on 
the  ground  to  be  trqd  on ;  who  laugh  and  truckle ; 
do  any  mean  act  to  gain  their  ends.  These  men 
pander  to  vice ;  are  ever  ready  with  a  cigar,  a  treat 
— whether  a  single  drink,  a  plate  of  oysters,  a  cham- 
pagne supper,  or  a  gallon  of  whisky.  They  tell 
barn-yard  stories,  sing  fancy  songs,  and  are  "  Hale 
fellows  well  met,"  without  a  shame. 

Allie  loved  Charlie  with  eyes  wide  open  to  see  the 
gulf  which  threatened  to  overwhelm  her  future.  A 
Christian,  knowing  he  had  taken  a  Christian's  vows, 
slipe  did  her  duty  and  plead  earnestly.  With  an  ap- 
petite for  vice,  the  apple  he  had  before  him  was  too 
tempting.  Charlie  Hardone  entered  her  presence 
degraded,  and  was  a  whited  sepulchre. 

General  Solenter  was  a  Hardone,  with  more  style. 
A  leg  of  butchered  sheep  is  no  more,  whether  simply 
boiled  in  a  common  pot  or  prepared  mouton  a  la 
Francais.  Necessity  compels  common  men  to  keep 
others  at  a  distance ;  else,  contempt  would  sink  them 
deep  as  their  desert.  The  less  absolute  merit — the 
more  style,  the  more  pretension.  Leette  Ledonc  was 
a  mirror  to  his  weakness,  and  with  him  assumed  hau- 
teur— ^put  on  more  style  than  the  Empress  Eugenie, 
the  pride  of  Napoleon  and  pet  of  France. 

These  reflections  of  her  mind-mirror  were  varied 
by  the  appearance  of  others — La  Scheme,  guerillas, 
rebels.     Each  moment  had  full  possession ;  exclusive 


CWITON   STEALING.  285 

— SO  that  Leettc  had  as  iiuuij  personalities  as  came 
for  reflection.  Behind  which  her  o>\*n  proper  identi- 
ty lay  hidden ;  a  reality  at  midnight,  when  curtains 
vainly  barred  out  mosquitoes  ;  but  thought,  too  busy 
with  its  own  pain,  was  unconscious  of  any  live  being 
save  Leette  Ledonc. 


f 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

One  thousand  bales  of  cotton  at  the  time  I  am  now 
fixins:  as  the  date  of  this  transaction,  would  sell  in 
Memphis  for  upwards  of  three  hundred  thousand 
dollars. 

Three  hundred  thousand  dollars  ! — is  worth  a  risk. 
There  was  no  risk  in  this  case.  One  hundred  thous- 
and dollars  paid  to  Leette  would  put  the  cotton  on  the 
bank  ready  for  shipment  ;  with  not  merely  a  pledge 
from  guerillas  not  to  burn,  but  a  detachment  to  pro- 
tect it.     More  of  this  hereafter. 

I  was  in  Chicago  four  years  after  the  first  nomina- 
tion of  Abraham  Lincoln,  when  that  party  which 
was  stigmatized  as  Copperhead  met  in  the  mammoth 
amphitheatre  to  nominate  a  candidate  who  should 
combine  all  the  elements  of  antagonism  in  existence 
at  the  North  to  crush  out  the  policy  of  emancipation, 
of  Unionism  embodied  in  Abraham  Lincoln.  What 
element  united  those  antagonisms,  fused  them  in  har- 
mony over  the  watchword  'peace  ?  The  old  Simon- 
pure  pro-slavery  democrat  who  voted  for  Brecken- 


COTTON   STEAL! Xa.  287 

rid<T^e  ;  his  deadly  enemy  thebankins-protection-pub- 
lic-iniprovemcnt-fos.sil-old-line-Whig;  and  that  anom- 
aly the  radical  black  stripe  abolition  Fremontist ;  in- 
dividuals blaming  Fremont  as  they  also  blamed  Lincoln 
for  what  was  not  done  ;  undcF  valuing  what  had  been 
done  ;  uniting  with  that  very  large  class  of  luke-warm 
patriots;  men  of  strong  party  prejudices  unable  to 
reconcile  support  of  the  Union,  since  support  of  the 
Union  contains  death  to  slavery,  with  their  life-long 
support  to  that  institution.  Timber,  out  of  which 
circumstances  wielded  by  traitors,  can  mould  treason. 
God  knovs,  it  is  his  law,  though  men  ignore  its  truth, 
that  seed  sown  will  germinate.  Dragon's  teeth  sown 
will  grow  into  fighting  men  ;  and  his  Providence  has 
thwarted  the  energetic  plans  which  would  have  nipped 
off  the  parent  stock,  only  to  spread  deeper  and  wider 
at  the  root,  and  multiply  indefinitely  the  evil  to  be 
more  securely  developed  in  coming  time.  Slavery  is 
the  evil.  Slavery  is  the  curse  of  free  government. — 
Black  slavery  is  the  positive,  white  slavery  the  com- 
parative and  caste  the  superlative  degree  of  wrong. 
While  the  lower  is  tolerated  small  progress  can  be 
made  in  ameliorating  the  condition  of  our  own  kith 
and  kin,  in  elevating  the  only  absolute  and  imperish- 
able ground  of  distinction  between  man  and  man, 
namely,  truth,  virtue,  holiness,  and  knowledge.  Had 
the  rebellion  been  squelched, — slavery  remaining,  the 
result  would  have  been  valueless. 

Had  the  grand  principles  of  anti-slavery  been 
choked  down  the  unwilling  minds  of  men,  the  steady 
progress  of  conviction  would  not  have  been.      Such 


288  COTTON  STEALIJy'G. 

thoughts  as  influenced  Gen.  Fremont  in  his  proclam- 
ation were  impossible,  at  the  time.  The  time  was, 
and  Gen.  Fremont  was  the  man,  to  enunciate  the 
principle.  Abraham  Lincoln  was  the  man  in  the 
right  place,  to  say,  as  he  did  say  :  "  Wait,  the  princi- 
ple is  correct.  Hold,  practical  emancipation  is  not 
yet  possible.  You  have  advanced  a  new  idea — a  cor- 
rect idea.  I  will  not  trouble,  only  suspend  its  execu- 
tion, until  public  opinion  has  come  up,  embraced  its 
truth,  and  men  are  not  only  practically  convinced, 
but  are  its  earnest  advocates."  The  mill  of  events 
grinds  slowly.  Those  minds  which  grasp  the  future 
are  too  apt  to  be  impatient — to  get  angry  with  the 
plodding  mass,  who  cannot  see,  cannot  comprehend, 
the  true  logic  of  events.  These  stubborn,  blind  men 
have  not  received  mental  illumination ;  but  daylight 
is  approaching,  when  all  shall  see.  The  expense  is 
awful.  Life,  limb,  happiness — all  that  man  or  wo- 
man holds  dear  ;  new  conscriptions,  new  outlays  of 
public  money,  new  taxes,  new  duties — because  the 
opposition,  in  self-will,  refuse  to  recognize  the  pro- 
gress of  human  events.  Do  not  become  impatient. 
The  reeponsibility  is  not  yours.  In  the  creation  of 
the  earth  from  chaos,  cycles  of  years  seemed  use- 
lessly wasted  while  fire  cooled  into  solid  rock,  while 
vegetation  and  animal  life  went  to  decay — forming 
solid  masses  of  carbon,  sufficient  to  supply  a  purer 
atmosphere,  a  more  delicate  vegetation,  a  more  ex- 
alted animal  life,  until  time  shall  end.  The  moral 
universe  may  be  in  a  similar  transition  period  ;  and 
the  convulsions  of  human  struggle,  epochs  in  the  pro- 


COTTON  STEALING.  289 

gress  of  soul  life,  onward  and  upward.  They  v.ho 
comprehend — who  desire  to  urge  onward  the  move- 
ment— should  not  grow  impatient,  since  the  Creator, 
whose  work  they  are,  in  whose  plan  thej  act,  gov- 
erns the  progress — wisely  choosing. his  instruments 
— justly  perfecting  his  designs.  Have  faith.  Trust 
God,  who  doeth  all  things  well.  When  God  has 
done  with  a  man,  he  drops  from  public  observation. 
Do  not  resist  God. 

All  these  contradictory  elements,  which  were  meet- 
ing in  harmony,  burying  the  hatchet  and  afhlliatino^  in 
political  brotherhood,  were  unable  to  defeat  the  des- 
tiny of  the  age  ;  for  slavery  is  barbarism  and  State 
sovereignty  conflicting  with  National  Union  is  des- 
truction.    Their  rallying  cry,  Peace  !  Peace  !  at  any 
price,  even  to  dismemberment  of  the  Union  and  ab- 
rogation of  the  Constitution  by  the  seceeding  States. 
Let  them  go  if  they  w^ish.  Peace  !  Peace  !     This  cry 
was   made  more   loud   by  the  proceeds   of  cotton, 
smuggled  through  the  lines ;  cotton  which   some  of 
our  own  officers  in  the  field  assisted  to  pass  the  lines. 
They  were  paid  for  the  permits  to  get  it  out.     Their 
honest  (?)  devotion  to  their  country  threw  every  ob- 
stacle in  the  way  of  open,  free  trade,  and  their  pub- 
lic record  is  beyond  impeachment,  yet   they    them- 
selves took  bribes,  opened  side  doors  by   which  the 
enemy  went  out   and  in  loaded  with  money  to  out- 
flank, to  battle  in  their  rear  against  their  fathers  and 
mothers,  sisters  and  children;  by  which  they  bought 
that  political  element,  always  for  sale,  and  attempted 
to  ruin  the  country.     Thank  God  they  failed! 
19 


290  COTTON  STEALING. 

The  poor  soldier  must  figlit,  shed  his  blood — die. 
His  family  must  meet  the  treasonable  laugh,  the  con- 
temptuous pity  of  the  copperheads ;  because  the 
national  officer  was  so  covetous,  so  vile,  so  degraded, 
as  to  trai3&c  in  cotton. 

Many  a  quiet  looker-on  in  that  misguided,  ambig- 
uous conglomeration  of  political  pudding-stone, 
[there  were  diamonds,  there  was  fine  gold.  How 
can  a  diamond  shine  without  its  glorious  setting? 
How  can  gold  be  known  when  mixed  with  mud  ?]  knew 
that  Southern  cotton,  transmuted  into  English  gold 
or  Northern  greenbacks,  paid  the  passage  of  mem- 
bers of  secret  organizations  to  the  scene  of  political 
conflict ;  armed  them  with  pistols,  and  furnished  them 
with  powder  and  ball. 

This  is  a  long  way  from  Leette  Ledonc.  Nor  does 
any  woman  appear  in  this  chapter,  dedicated  to  none 
but  Union  men — supporters  of  the  Administration^ 
and  Federal  'officers.  Again  I  disavow  any  intention 
of  stigmatizing  any  particular  man ;  nor  the  army 
or  navy  as  men,  or  as  a  class  of  men.  I  point  out 
no  individual.  If  the  pen  draws  true  portraits,  it 
shall  not  have,  like  the  earliest  attempts  at  art,  the 
words,  "this  is  a  cow,"  to  distinguish  the  features 
of  brigadier  from  colonel,  or  major  of  the  gold  leaf 
from  him  of  the  two  silver  stars.  The  act  and  its 
consequences  are  wrong.  Whoever  has  been  guilty 
deserves  condemnation.  Let  conscience  stand  ac- 
cuser. Let  truth,  set  home  by  conscience,  be  judge. 
Let  a  calm,  unprejudiced  public  try  every  officer  who 
comes  home  from  the  cotton  regions  enriched  by  the 


COTTON    STEALING.  291 

war  beyond  the  just  savings  of  his  array  pay.  If 
tliere  is  guilt,  let  the  penalty  rest  only  on  the  crimi- 
nal. There  is  but  one  way  to  reach  the  wrong-doer, 
and  that,  the  just  contempt  of  an  indignant  country. 
When  men  are  known  to  be  guilty,  if  the  public  sus- 
tain and  honor  them  they  partake  of  the  guilt. 

*'  One  thousand  bales  of  cotton.  We  must  have 
them."  Charles  Ilardone  was  seated  with  General 
Scienter  in  the  private  apartments,  where  none  came 
uninvited. 

The  general  was  sitting  in  an  easy-chair,  his  hands 
thrown  behind  his  head  and  his  feet  resting  on  the 
table.  He  was  smoking  a  real  Havana  from  a  box 
just  opened,  and  only  a  few  moments  before  sent  in 
by  a  cotton  speculator,  who  wanted  a  permit  en- 
dorsed with  the  general's  name.  The  side-board  h^ld 
a  bottle  and  glasses  standing  on  a  waiter.  The  adju- 
tant general  interrupted  his  remark  by  pouring  some 
liquor  into  a  glass,  approving  the  flavor  thus  : 

"  That  is  tip-top.  Smooth  as  oil.  Some  of  La 
Scheme's?  " 

"  No,"  answered  the  general.  "  His  cannot  come 
up  to  that.  This  came  from  an  old  reb,  and  has 
been  in  the  .country  for  twenty-five  years.  La 
Scheme  told  me  of  it.  In  fact,  tried  to  get  it  him- 
self, but  failed.     You  can't  guess  how  I  did  get  it." 

''  Of  course  not,  since  you  say  so.  If  La  Scheme 
failed,  no  one  need  try.  That  man  is  cute  as  the 
devil.  "Wliat  he  abandons  no  one  need  attempt.  I 
wonder  if  there  is  more  where  it  came  from.  A  raid 
that  way  wouldn't  be  a  bad  thing." 


292  COTTON  STEALING. 

'•  That  would  not  go.  Do  you  remember  the  din- 
ner at  which  we  were  the  guests  of  Miss  Ledonc  ?  " 

^'  You  don't !  D — m  it !  I  do  remember.  I'd  have 
got  tight  there  if  Lina  hadn't  been  on  hand  with  her 
Bible  quotations." 

"Ah,  old  boy  I  look  out  or  you  will  be  in  love 
with  this  rebel." 

"  I  am  already  about  the  same  as  you  are.  You 
better  keep  straight  or  I  will  write  your  wife — "  At 
this  point  a  knock  at  the  door  interrupted  them. — 
"  That  is  Sandison  come  to  work  out  this  trade." 

''How  are  ye,  Sandison,"  says  the  General  not 
rising  but  extending  the  hand  unoccupied  by  his  ci- 
gar, apologizing  with  the  words,  "  the  nearest  the 
heart.  Have  a  drink  ?  Charlie,  ring  for  another 
glass." 

''Not  for  me,  thank  you,"  replied  Sandison. 

'*  Oh,  try  this.  You  never  tasted  better, — sample 
it — ^genuine  article  captured  from  a  rebel  —  thirty 
years  old." 

"  6he  is  not  thii'ty  years  old  ;  not  more  than  twen- 

ty-" 

"Who?"  asks  Sandison. 

"Miss  Ledonc." 

"  If  she  is  not  thirty  she  ought  to  be.  She  has  the 
oldest  head  on  her  shoulders  I  ever  saw  for  one  so 
youHg.     Do  you  know  what  she  wants  now  ?  " 

"No,  what  is  it?" 

"  One  hundred  thousand  dollars  down,  and  five 
thousand  dollars  worth  of  supplies  delivered." 

"  What  are  they  ?  '  asks  the  General. 


COTTON    STEALING. 


293 


"  Salt,  flour,  beef  and  pork,  whiskey,  and  a  gene- 
ral assortment  of  plantation  goods.  She  had  a  list 
of  articles,  as  long  as  the  moral  law,  from  a  cotton 
card  to  a  paper  of  pins.  Can  we  work  it  through  ? 
It  is  worth  the  trial ;  but  a  hundred  thousand  dollars 
does  not  turn  up  every  day.     What  say  General  ?" 

''  This  is  a  new  dodge.  Greenbacks  have  always 
done  the  biz  before." 

''Not  always.  There  have  been  small  lots  of  sup- 
plies which  have  been  worked  out  without  your  knowl- 
edge,—Hardone  knows ;  we  would  not  trouble  you 
with  them.  This  is  too  big  and  I  dare  not  venture 
without  your  approval  and  consent  before  hand.  You 
see,  at  least  it  is  plain  to  me,  although  she  does  not 
say  so,  that  the  guerillas  must  be  bought  oif  or  they 
wi\l  come  in  and  burn  the  cotton  while  on  the  bank. 
In  fact  she  hinted  as  much." 

''This  is  a  big  thing.  If  we  fail  it  does  up  a  cool 
hundred  thousand.  I  have  tried  every  way  but  she 
will  take  no  risks,  the  money  must  be  paid  down. — 
Then  we  must  charter  a  steamboat.  Here  is  trouble 
again.     We  have  to  take  in  the  Quartermaster." 

"  Oh,  the  General  can  manage  that  well  enough. 
A  special  order  will  do  it." 

"  Yes.  But  how  to  get  the  supplies  on  boai?d.  The 
supphes  must  go,  and  they  must  be  permitted  by  the 
Treasury  Agent.  It  would  never  do  to  pay  for  the 
cotton  and  then  slip  up  for  five  thousand  dollars  worth 
of  supphes." 

"It  is  a  hard  case,  Sandison,"  says  General  Solen- 
ter.     ''  Suppose  you  get  the  supphes  on  board,  the 


294  COTTON  STEALING. 

navy  will  interfere ;  Admiral  Porter's  order  is  very 
strict,  and  these  navy  fellows  are  jealous  as  can  be. 
They  know  how  to  obey  and  would  be  more  than  glad 
of  a  chance  to  pick  us  up.  I  am  afraid  it  cannot  be 
done." 

"  It  looks  scaly  enough,"  said  "Charlie.  "  Besides, 
tlie  new  Treasury  Agent  is  so  sharp  he  will  seize  the 
cotton  before  we  know  what  is  up." 

"  That  is  true,"  says  Sandison.  If  it  was  anything 
less  than  a  cool  two  hundred  thousand  I  would  not 
touch  it,  By  G — d,  I  cant  make  up  my  mind  to  give 
it  up." 

"Neither  can  I,"  says  Charlie. 

"Nor  I,"  says  the  General.  "  Take  another  cigar. 
We  must  work  it  out  some  way.  If  we  can't,  no  one 
can." 

"  That's  so,"  says  Charlie. 

"  It  is  a  tremendous  risk  for  me,"  says  the  General. 
I  have  at  stake  more  than  you.  While  you  in  failure 
loose  only  money,  I  loose  money  and  chance  my  rep- 
utation.    They  may  order  an  investigation." 

"Buy  off  the  judges  or  the  witnesses.  We  will 
stand  our  share  as  part  off  the  expense  account.  We 
can  control  the  reports  of  any  such  investigation  ;  and 
if  necessary,  a  judicious  outlay,  will  mould  public 
opinion  at  home  by  the  leading  articles  in  our  party 
organs." 

"  Can  you  do  that,  Sandison  ?" 

"  Oh,  yes  ;  I  have  done  that  many  a  time.  Your 
reputation  does  not  trouble  me.  We  can  fix  that.  I 
am  bothered  only  on  the  question  of  supplies.     The 


COTTON  STEALING.  295 

Provost  Guard  is  on  the  levee,  and  the  Treasury  de- 
tectives are  always  on  the  watch.  I  do  not  know 
what  is  best." 

"  It  is  best  to  get  the  cotton,  of  course." 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !     That  is  the  miscliief,  Charlie." 

For  a  moment  look  at  the  situation.  One  thousand 
bales  of  Confederate  States  cotton,  which  once  within 
the  Federal  lines,  by  the  laws  of  war,  belongs  to  the 
government,  are  offered  for  sale  for  $100,000  in  green- 
backs, and  §5000  in  supplies. 

Cotton  can  be  legally  bought  for  greenbacks,  but 
not  C.  S.  A.  cotton. 

The  Navy  forbid  steamboats  to  land,  save  under 
their  guns,  on  penalty  of  forfeiture  of  boat,  cargo, 
and  the  imprisonment  of  officers  and  crew. 

The  Treasury  confiscate  all  cotton  which  is  brought 
within  the  lines  contrary  to  the  rules  and  regulations 
of  its  department. 

The  General  in  command  also  has  his  orders  re- 
stricting trade  in  the  staple,  violation  of  which  involve 
like  forfeiture  and  penalty. 

This  opens  the  field  to  the  quartermaster.  Oh, 
had  all  'men  been  honest  —  had  all  generals,  all 
treasury  agents,  all  quartermasters,  and  their  aids, 
clerks,  and  assistants,  let  alone  the  accursed  thing ; 
preserved  carefully  all  the  cotton  which  came  within 
the  lines,  and  forwarded  it  to  market;  had  all  collec- 
tors of  customs.  United  States  marshals,  agents  of 
the  War  Department,  carefully  husbanded  the  pro- 
ceeds from  such  sales — an  amount  would  have  been 
realized  which  would  go  far  to  decrease  the  great 


296  COTTON    STEALING. 

debt,  and  thereby  diminish  the  taxation  so  heavily 
weighing  down  the  whole  landl 

The  temptation  was  too  great.  Young  men,  old 
men,  generals,  colonels,  captains,  lieutenants,  chap- 
lains, nurses,  have  yielded — have  sinned  the  sin  of 
Achan.  Some  have,  by  the  enormity  of  their  trans- 
actions, dipped  their  souls  in  the  blood  of  as  pure 
and  noble  soldiers  as  ever  died  for  their  country. 
God  forgive  them. 

Whoever  would  condemn  too  harshly,  let  him  re- 
member the  Forgiver  who  taught,  '^  Judge  not,  that 
ye  be  not  judged,"  and  left  the  prayer,  '■'■Lead  us 
not  into  temptation.''  Let  him  ask  himself  what  he 
would  have  done  if  two  hundred  thousand  dollars 
had  come  within  his  grasp — two  hundred  thousand 
dollars  in  less  than  a  month.  Two  hundred  thousand 
dollars  !  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  I  Who  would 
not  do  wrong  for  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  ? 

For  a  time  each  smoked  in  silence ;  each  thought. 
At  length,  heaving  a  long  breath,  General  Solenter 
said : 

''  Sandison,  you  must  make  the  best  bargain  you 
can.  1  do  not  care  how  you  fix  it;  only  do  not  in- 
volve me.  Keep  your  own  council.  You  will  get 
the  thing  through  straight.  Have  you  employed  La 
Scheme  ?" 

"No.  He  has  played  off  on  me  in  this  matter.  I 
know  not  why." 

"  Then  you  must  pay  him  well.  He  will  come  in; 
and  you  know  he  is  always  successful." 

"  General,  I  will  try.     It  is  a  hard  matter." 


COTTON  STEALING.  297 

"  Go  on.  Don't  come  to  me  until  it  is  absolutely 
necessary.      Then,  I  will  do  all  that  any  man  can." 

"  General,"  says  Sandison,  "  the  only  question  is 
how  to  do  it.  We  can  buy  every  man  who  stands  in 
our  way  ;  but  that  would  not  pay.  Nothing  would 
be  left.  There  is  a  way  of  getting  privileges  from 
the  Treasury  Agent,  and  making  one  hand  wash  the 
other,  on  the  principle  of  one  good  turn  deserves 
another.     Do  you  understand  ?     It  is  all  right  ?  " 

The  General  "nodded. 

''Then  that  permit  business  can  be  easily  arranged, 
and  we  can  get  the  goods  on  board  by  your  endorse- 
ment. Your  order  will  carry  the  guard.  Nothing 
is  left  but  to  get  through  the  navy." 

''Blast  the  navy!"  says  Charlie,  "We  will  risk 
that.  Once  get  the  cotton  on  board  and  safe  here, 
I  defy  all  the  navies  in  the  world  to  get  it  away  from 
us." 

"  I  wonld  rather  be  on  the  safe  side.  I  know  a 
man  in  charge  of  a  gun-boat, — an  old  friend,  who 
would  do  anything  for  me.  I  think  I  can  work 
through  him.  It  may  cost  us  a  pair  of  silver-mount- 
ed pistols  and  a  basket  of  champagne.  It  can  be 
brought  out  somehow.  I  shall  charter  the  first  boat 
I  find." 

"  Go  ahead ;  the  sooner  the  better.  That  woman 
is  a  sharp  piece,  and,  as  near  as  I  can  make  out,  has 
already  taken  ten  or  twenty  thousand  dollars  earnest 
money  from  other  parties.  First  come,  first  served. 
She  told  mc  herself." 

"  Did  Miss  Ledonc  let  you  know  that  ?" 


298  COTTON   STEALING. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Charlie. 

"  You  must  be  thick  with  her." 

"  Charlie  uttered  the  Englishman's  interjection, 
coloring  while  he  added,  ^'  Do  you  think  I  would  let 
her  gcf  the  start  of  me  ?  Two  hundred  thousand 
dollars  are  not  to  be  picked  up  every  day." 

"  La  Scheme  told  me  the  same.  He  said  he  had 
advanced  on  this  lot.  We  must  work  off  his  claim. 
He  said  it  was  a  speculation,  and  was  willing  to  bet 
on  it.  If  he  lost  he  would  win  on  another.  He  told 
me  he  would  look  out  for  Miss  Ledonc,  as  she  was 
keen  as  a  briar,  but  did  her  the  justice  of  being  up 
to  her  word.      Shall  I  close  with  her  ?" 

''  Yes,"  answered  the  General,  "  and  under  the 
circumstances  I  will  send  one  of  the  Quartermaster's 
boats.  As  soon  as  the  cotton  comes  in  I  will  order 
it  seized,  and  put  a  guard  over  it.  The  rest  will  be 
easy." 


CHAPTER  XXYI. 

The  following  letter,  written  about  this  time,  ex- 
plains itself : 
"  My  Dear  Mrs.   Wirtman  : 

"  I  wish  I  could  lay  my  head  on  your  bosom  and 
cry.  Do  not  show  this  letter  to  mother.  Poor 
mother  !  I  would  not  make  her  any  more  unhappy. 
I  enclose  one  for  her.      I  am  sad  and  so  lonely. 

"  Mr.  Wirtman  is  nearly  well,  and  attends  to 
business,  but  his  heart  is  not  here.  Since  he  heard 
of  James'  death,  all  energy  seems  gone.  AVe  have 
learned  no  new  facts.  Leette — is  it  not  strange  for 
me  to  call  her  that  name — is  a  strange  woman.  I 
wish  you  could  see  and  know  her  personally.  I  fear, 
yet  am  fascinated.  She  seems  to  be  good.  I  cannot 
tell  what  I  think,  for  always,  ofter  a  visit,  I  feel  re- 
lieved as  of  impending  evil.  She  insists  that  I  call 
her  Leette.  James  did.  For  his  sake  I  do  not  turn 
away,  as  I  would  gladly  do.  No  return  can  be  too 
great  for  kindness,  such,  as  she  says,  she  gave  to  him 
who  is  sleeping.    Oh  !  what  a  death  !    And  she  says 


300  COTTON  STEALING. 

I  am  the  cause.  Do  you  blame  me  ?  He  died  for 
his  country.  Didn't  he  ?  Leette  says  it  was  cotton. 
I  wish  father  would  go  home.  I  hate  the  sight  of 
the  bales  laying  on  the  levee,  for  every  time  I  see 
them  they  seem  covered  with  blood — his  blood.  Do 
you  forgive  mo  ?     Can  you  forgive  me  ? 

"  Why  do  I  write  you  thus?  I  ought  not,  perhaps, 
but  I  cannot  help  speaking.  You  always  seemed  so 
dear.  God  forgive  me,  if  I  am  wrong.  I  write  you 
because  I  am  so  lonely.  I  knew  Charlie  drank,  but 
I  did  not  think  him  unfaithful.  I  will  not  think 
that  now,  although  Leette  says,  "All  men  are  rascals. 
The  war  has  made  them  all  villains.  There  is  not 
an  honorable  man  in  the  North  or  the  South.  The 
good  men  are  all  dead."  She  is  so  bitter  !  Poor 
girl !  some  one  has  injured  her,  and  she  is  revenge- 
ful. I  cannot  believe  all  are  wholly  bad.  She  tells 
me  dreadful  histories.     Oh  !  this  cruel  war  ! 

*  -St  *  ■»  *  *  -H- 

"  I  take  my  pen  again.  I  have  been  reading  my 
Bible, — that  one  Lilly  Sue  gave  on  her  death-bed. 
You  remember.  It  belonged  to  James.  I  have  been 
praying.  I  am  strong  again.  The  Saviour  is  a  sure 
refuge  for  those  that  trust  in  him.  I  have  committed 
my  soul  to  his  care.  ^In  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me.' 

"  I  cannot  comprehend  the  situation  of  aifairs 
here.  Father  is  very  busy.  I  hardly  see  him,  day 
or  night.  I  should  be  very  lonesome,  but  find  enough 
to  do.  And  if  you  could  only  go  with  me  to  the 
Overton  Hospital,  and  V-ok  into  the  eyes  of  our  poor 


COTTON  STEALING.  301 

sick  and  wounded  men,  when  I  read  to  or  write  for 
them,  jou  would  feel  that  I  am  not  quite  useless. 
There  are  blessings  everywhere,  when  we  look  for 
them.  '  Little  deeds  of  kindness.  Little  words  of 
love.'  I  know  what  that  means  now.  When  I  make 
one  of  those  sick  soldiers  smile  I  feel  happy.  I 
worked  all  one  afternoon  to  get  some  socks  right  for 
a  poor  hollow-eyed  man  ;  and  wasn't  I  paid  when  he 
said,  '  That's  just  like  my  mother  '  ! 

"  Charlie  does  not  like  me  so  much  in  the  hospitals; 
but  he  has  so  much  work,  he  does  not  find  time  to 
spend  with  me.  You  know  I  cannot  be  idle.  Be- 
fore long  the  army  will  go  to  Vicksburg,  and  then  I 
plan  to  return  home.  Father  will  accompany  the  ex- 
pedition, and  will  not  leave  me  alone  here ;  though  I 
would  gladly  stay  and  take  care  of  the  wounded.  I 
hope  Mr.  Wirtman  will  go  home,  too.  The  bank  is 
not  making  much  money.  Father  says  your  husband 
is  too  honest.  There,  I  am  coming  back  on  to  the 
sad  things  again.  Isn't  it  awful  when  you  are  be- 
ginning to  be  afraid  of  losing  faith  in  your  father  ? 
I  do  not  think  it  is  right  to  make  money  as  men 
do  here ;  and  I  feel  so  badly  to  think  how  my  dear 
father  works  to  get  it.  Have  I  a  right  to  close  my 
eyes  ? — am  I  wrong  in  seeing  anything  in  him  which 
is  contrary  to  my  standard  of  right  ?  I  do  love  him. 
I  wish  he  would  come  home. 

"  My  dear,  dear  friend,  what  can  I,  what  should  I 
do  ?  Pray  for  me.  I  need  strength  to  do  my  whole 
duty.  When  I  get  home  I  shall  never  want  to  go 
away  again.     I  wish  Charlie  ond  I  were  only  happy 


302  COTTON  STEALING. 

together,  and  no  more  w^r ;  I  would  be  willing  to 
work  hard  all  my  days.  I  want  to  talk  to  you.  I 
am  not  satisfied  with  this  writing.  I  am  tempted  to 
burn  what  I  have  written.  Love,  love,  love.  Good- 
bye." 

While  this  was  going,  another  letter  had  been 
written  by  Mrs.  Wirtman,  in  reply  to  that  informing 
her  of  her  son's  death.  With  much  that  was  irrele- 
vant, there  was  this  which  follows — telling  her  secret 
thoughts ;  also,  suggestive  of  what  may  have  been 
the  nature  of  the  correspondence  between  these  per- 
sons during  the  kind  watch  which  Lina  Sandison  was 
keeping  over — saving  the  life  of  George  Washington 
Wirtman. 

"  I  cannot  believe  he  is  dead.  I,  his  mother,  who 
first  felt  his  heart  beat,  who  have  loved  him  from  in- 
fancy, fed  him  on  my  breast,  watched,  tended,  prayed 
over  him  during  childhood  and  boyhood,  sent  him  forth 
to  battle  for  his  country.  Life  of  my  life,  heart  of 
my  heart,  I  have  not  yet  lost  him  !  My  heart  is  yet 
whole,  and  the  news  which  you  sent  is  not,  cannot  be 
true.  James  is  yet  alive  else  I  should  know  it.  I  am 
confident  he  still  lives.  When  he  dies  I  shall  have 
warning  ;  my  heart  is  still  whole,  I  shall  see  him 
again.  Call  me  foolish,  Allie,  it  was  his  name,  and  I 
shall  call  you  by  none  other.  I  am  a  foolish,  loving 
mother.  I  will  not  give  him  up.  That  woman  was 
mistaken,  or  worse.  I  fear  her  on  your  account. — 
Beware,  dear  daughter  !  Do  not  trust  her  too  far  ! 
And  Charlie,  forgive  me,  Allie,  if  I  give  you  pain,  I 
fear  lest  he  may  not  be  worthy.     Do  not  place  your 


V 


COTTON    STEALING. 


303 


affections  so  entirely,  on  anything  earthly,  that  their 
precious  treasure  shall  be  ^vasted.  God  preserve  and 
keep  you,  darling,  and  return  you  safe  and  quickly 

home. 

"  Tell  my  husband  to  come  home.  Let  money 
perish  rather  than  be  gained  at  the  price  of  honor.  I 
would  rather  live  poor  and  die  in  want,  than  feel  one 
single  moment,  that  abundance  was  procured  at  the 
expense  of  truth,  justice  and  country. 

"  Dear  child  it  is  time  for  you  to  ^ome  home.  I 
thank  you,  I  bJ^ss^w^for^H-'yo^^  been  to  mine 
and  to  me/iouTmissIori  is  ended,— but— I  am  sel- 
fish ;  I  do  not  think  of  your  father,  of  Charlie.  Stay 
while  you  can  be  of  service  to  them,  and  then  come 
home,— come  home  and  bring  my  husband  with  you." 


CHAPTER  XXYIL 

In  what  the  pilots  of  the  Mississippi  call  a  blind 
field,  a  lone  widow  occupied  a  log  shanty.  The  cul- 
tivation of  the  South  clears  from  the  trackless  woods 
only  the  smaller  trees ;  while  the  large  monsters,  of 
pre-Adamic  proportions  are  lazily  girdled,  to  slowly 
decay.  Cotton  and  corn  were  planted  among  these 
trees,  tomb-stones  of  past  vegetation,  whose  shadow, 
rising  with  the  sun,  shed  all  day  long  a  regret  on  the 
green,  tasselly  stalk,  the  delicate  silk  of  the  corn, 
and  on  the  flowering,  flaky  cotton.  The  very  soil 
was  a  grave-yard  of  immortal  seeds.  Every  year  a 
campaign,  through  which  the  stolid,  thick-lipped, 
thick-skulled  salamander  slave  waged  war  with  the 
weeds.  Weeds,  whose  tiny  mustard-seed  produced  a 
young  forest  for  the  birds  of  the  air  to  o(?cupy  as 
playing,  singing,  and  feeding  ground.  When  any 
field  was  once  abandoned,  neglected,  not  more  than 
two  seasons,  the  posterity  of  dead  forests  jealously 
reassumed  possession,  and  young  Cottonwood  trees 
sprang  in  cane-brake  profusion  from  the  soil.     What 


COTTON  STEALING.  305 

a  tangle  is  a  blind  field  I  Wood?,  cockle-burrs, 
briars,  morning-glory  vines,  ticks,  nettle  trees  too 
young  yet  to  be  a  bush,  stubborn  hickory  saplings, 
ash  shoots  striving  to  become  trees  ;  all,  every,  each, 
whatever  of  bush,  shrub,  vine,  nettle,  wild,  untamed, 
spontaneous  nature  riots  in  producing — all  of  this, 
with  nothing  to  hinder,  grows  in  a  blind  field. 

The  log  shanty  had  been  abandoned,  five  or  six 
years  before  the  war,  by  its  owner,  who  was  a  poor 
wood-cutter.  The  widow,  who  now  occupied  it,  had 
a  cotton  history.  One  of  the  witnesses  against  the 
civilized  world — that  civilized  world  which,  ignoring 
its  own  damning  responsibility,  holds  up  its  hands 
in  holy  horror  at  the  cruel  war  its  own  cupidity  has 
engendered. 

Calico,  prints,  muslin,  sheeting,  shirting,  were  only 
a  shilling  (York),  a  rial  (Spanish),  a  sixpence  (En- 
glish), a  levy,  a  bit,  a  fib,  or  any  other  name  which 
means  twelve  and  one-half  cents,  per  yard,  previous 
to  the  gigantic  moral  maelstrom  which  has  put  the 
price  of  cotton  from  seven,  eight,  and  nine  cents,  per 
pound,  up  to  fifty,  seventy-five  cents,  and  one  dollar. 
All  because  of  slavery — unpaid  labor  of  the  African 
slave.  Who,  by  its  incessant  and  unlimited  demand, 
impregnated  the  Southern  mind  with  the  immortality 
of  King  Cotton  ?  The  old  world.  England  first  of 
all.  What  did  it  do  for  England  ?  Put  free  white 
labor  on  a  par  with  the  forced  labor  of  the  black 
slave.  Cotton  which  can  be  produced  for  a  sixpence 
must  be  manufactured  for  a  sixpence.  Cheap  cloth- 
ing makes  cheap  labor,  cheap  food ;  so  that  every 
20 


306  COTTON    STEALING. 

laboring  man  in  the  world,  whether  manufacturer  or 
agriculturist,  was  degraded  to  equality  with  the  poor 
slave  of  the  South,  The  great  land-holder,  the 
great  corporation  capitalist,  alone  reaped  the  benefit. 
The  white  man,  the  laborer  was  degraded ;  his  family 
starvea. 

The  husband  of  this  woman  was  a  poor.  Southern, 
laboring  man,  without  land,  without  slaves,  with  no 
more  than  the  God  of  nature  gave  a  black  man — 
hands,  feet,  and  stomach.  The  slave-holder  despised 
him,  because  he  was  poor.  The  slave  despised  him, 
because  he  had  to  work.  A  poor  white  at  the  South 
was  worse  off  than  a  nigger  ;  because  the  latter  was 
invested  with  the  dignity  of  his  owner's  wealth.  So 
when  the  war  broke  out,  the  poor  white  was  driven  to 
save  his  own  life  from  a  bayonet.  The  army  swal- 
lowed him,  while  his  wife  and  family  were  drowned 
in  the  heartless  neglect  of  an  aristocracy  which  hated 
poor  white  trash. 

This  woman  had  more  energy  than  her  husband. 
She  cultivated  a  field  of  corn  with  her  own  hands  ; 
she  even  made  a  bale  of  cotton — that  is,  she  raised, 
planted,  hoed  and  picked  with  her  own  hands,  two 
bales,  of  which  she  gave  the  overseer  one,  for  gining 
and  bahng  the  other.  All  this,  because  God  made 
her  human.  She  could  not  disobey  the  command,  as 
does  many  a  proud  dame.  Be  fruitful  and  multiply. 
Her  heart  could  bear  its  own  stabs,  whether  inflicted 
by  the  heartlessness  of  husband  or  the  cold,  cold 
world  ;  but  not  the  cries  of  a  daughter  bare-footed  at 
twelve  years  old,  a  boy  gaunt  at  seven,  or  the  heavy 


COTTON   STEALING.  307 

tuggings  at  her  breast-heart  of  the  infant  hungry, 
hungry,  hungry. 

When  the  lines  were  opened,  she  took  her  cow 
and  mule,  yoked  them  together  to  her  wooden- 
wheeled  cart,  loaded  on  her  bale  of  cotton — how  is 
more  than  I  can  tell  you  :  not  a  surplus  nail  or  bolt 
kept  the  wedged  frame  of  unhewn  sticks  together — 
and  wended  her  creaking  way,  bare-footed,  to  the 
Mississippi,  carrying  her  babe  in  her  arms,  while 
the  other  two  children  rode  the  bale  of  cotton,  or 
clung  to  her  tattered  dress,  beside  her. 

Before  she  reached  the  river,  a  kind  man  met  and 
warned  her  of  guerillas  burning  cotton,  and  urged 
her  to  return.     Said  she  : 

"  I  am  a  pore,  lone  woman.  I  want  some  flour 
and  doings,  and  some  traps  for  the  children.  My 
husband's  in  the  army,  dead  long  ago  for  all  T  know. 
He  can't  write,  and  I  can't  read  if  he  cud.  No 
one  '11  hurt  them  'uns,  shore." 

But  the  guerillas  found  her,  burnt  her  cotton  and 
her  cart ;  took  her  cow  and  her  mule,  and  left  her 
alone  with  her  children,  far  from  her  home,  and  ob- 
liged to  take  up  quarters  in  a  deserted  log  house  in 
a  blind  field. 

This  field  was  a  part  of  the  plantation  of  Leette  Le- 
done.  Because  her  uncle  opposed,  this  woman  re- 
ceived her  permission  to  remain  ;  the  same  motive  fed 
the  family  with  rations  of  corn  meal,  and  gave  per- 
mission to  take  all  the  corn  they  could  eat  from  the 
standing  crop. 

When  La  Scheme   left  her  house  to  go  to  the  ren- 


308  COTTON  STEALING. 

dezvous  of  the  guerillas,  Leette  without  comprehend- 
ing, save  as  the  storm  impending  oppresses  the  at- 
mosphere, took  an  impulse  to  put  James  Manet  out 
of  the  way  lest  he  might  be  injured  without  her  con- 
sent. There  was  a  tincture  of  the  coquette  in  this 
impulse,  as  La  Scheme  seemed  to  be  jealous  of  her. 
She  felt  so  secure  of  him  that  a  little  wholesome  sport 
would  be  only  pastime.  She  immediately  went  to 
James,  and  said  : — 

''  There  is  danger  abroad  of  which  I  know  nothing. 
I  am  your  friend.  I  would  preserve  and  protect  as 
far  as  is  in  my  power.  Will  you  trust  me  ?  Will  you 
wait  until  I  come  and  tell  you  danger  is  removed  ?" 

Leette  was  sincere.  Trust  begets  trust.  James' 
nature  forbade  her  to  conceal.  The  Leette  of  La 
Scheme  was  not  the  Leette  of  James  Manet.  The 
game  was  on  her  side,  but  underneath  the  game  was 
a  true  fear,  a  true  resolve,  "I  will  save  you."  James 
consented,  and  she  put  him  in  the  log  house  in  the 
blind  field,  binding  him  to  keep  within  until  she 
should  give  him  permission  to  depart. 

James  had  already  gained  strength.  His  recovery 
was  rapid.  Time  was  on  his  hands,  and  only  one 
small  book  to  occupy  that  time,  to  relieve  a  captive's 
intense  wish  to  get  away.  A  book  which  teaches,-^ 'Do 
with  thy  might  what  thy  hands  find  to  do."  What 
could  he  do  ? 

Teach  that  little  girl  her  letters  ;  tell  how  that  lit- 
tle Testament  was  given  before  the  war,  when  every 
volunteer  was  armed  with  God's  promise  of  mercy  ; 
before  the  blue  uniform  had  been  issued  or  the  volun- 


COTTON    STEALING.  309 

teers  had  ever  handled  a  bayonet.  By-and-by  he  de- 
vised a  plan  to  shingle  the  roof  from  the  inside,  send- 
ing the  mother  and  children  to  a  roof  half  washed  into 
the  river,  for  old  shingles.  Old  shingles  attract  no 
attention,  make  no  noise.  Afterwards  he  studied  how 
to  fill  the  cracks  from  within  so  as  to  add  comfort 
without  suspicion  ;  and  one  day  when  they  were  all 
gone,  he  found  a  loose  board  under  the  corner  where 
he  made  his  bed.  Looking  for  opportunities  to  es- 
cape, when  bound  by  a  wall  of  parole  so  thick  and 
high  that,  ^hile  honor  was  at  stake,  he  would  not  go 
out  of  the  open  door  into  the  blind  field  to  gather 
even  a  stick  of  wood  or  a  beautiful  snow-white  flower. 
What  an  eternity  the  sound  of  the  distant  cannon  of 
our  friends  holds  on  a  prisoner  !  Theydid  not  come.  Was 
it  wrong  to  lift  the  board  and  plan  for  escape  when 
the  chains  of  honor  might  be  lifted  ?  It  was  only  a 
chance,  A  prisoner  must  take  chances.  James  took 
the  chances,  and  little  by  little  dug  a  hole  unnoticed 
by  either  mother  or  children,  and  connected  his  hole 
with  the  outside  of  the  house. 

About  this  time,  a  slave  who  had  escaped  his  pursu- 
ers, came  for  refuge.  The  widow  refused  no  one. — 
Out  of  the  same  pot  from  which  they  all  eat  their 
hulled  corn,without  spoons  or  forks,  he  was  fed.  He 
received  the  lion's  share  of  the  hoe  cake  made  of  meal 
pounded  between  two  stones, — not  the  cake,  the  corn 
from  which  it  is  made,  for  Leette's  granary  of  meal 
was  burnt  long  ago.  Leette  who  was  safe  and  would 
come  back  by-and-by.  James  almost  prayed  to  be 
taken  prisoner  again  that  he  might  chance  his  escape. 
The  negro  had  escaped. 


310  COTTON  STEALING. 

''  The  Hounds  !  How  did  you  get  away  V* 

"  Yah  !  golly  !  Me  knows,  hounds  neber  catch  me  !" 

^' How  is  that  ?" 

"Dis  yer  way, — cober  up  de  smell." 

"  Can  you  do  that?" 

"Yah  !  yah  !  golly  !  Done  dat  ar  plenty,  when  I 
steal  de  sweet  potatoe  and  de  hog." 

"  How  was  it?" 

"  Burn  de  cow  horn  and  rub  him  ober  de  feet  and 
de  legs.  No  smell  dar  den." 

James  went  bare  foot  to  save  his  shoes,  and  burned 
a  cow  horn  which  he  kept  smoking  in  them.  It  was 
unpleasant  to  sleep  over  such  a  perfume,  but  it  was  a 
chance  for  safety,  and  he  permitted  no  chance  to  es- 
cape. 

He  was  much  alone,  for  he  had  aroused  the  hopes 
and  desires  of  this  mother  to  get  to  a  free  land  where 
children  could  go  to  free  schools  and  obtain  a  free 
education.  She  had  no  means  of  her  own,  nor  any 
expectations,  until  he  suggested  her  gathering  all  the 
loose  cotton  at  Leette's  plantation,  and  separating 
the  scorched,  saving  only  that  uninj  ared  ;  and  while 
she  was  thus  employed,  each  child,  even  the  baby 
playing  in  cotton,  he  was  patching  and  making  sacks 
out  of  the  refuse  rags  which  she  gleaned  from  the  ne- 
gro quarters.  The  sacks  were  all  there  ;  the  hole 
was  there ;  the  burnt  smell  was  there  ;  and  a  slight 
chance  of  escape  was  there ;  but  where  was  Leette  ? 


CHAPTER  XXYiix. 

There  can  hardly  be  found  a  place  in  human  ex- 
perience more  galling  than  the  dependence  of  a 
strong  mind  and  will  on  irresponsible  military  power, 
when  that  military  power  is  in  the  hands  of  ignor- 
ance, self-conceit,  and  arrogance ;  or  even  if  the 
center  of  power — itself  pure,  noble,  and  honorable 
— is  surrounded,  battalion  deep,  with  assistant  clerks 
and  mercenary  hirelings.  To  be  snubbed  by  a  lieu- 
tenant, when  you  know  your  cause  is  just — when  he 
is  angry  because  you  have  told  him  Jiis  error  ;  when 
you  have  called  for  justice,  and  he  has  denied  be- 
cause he  has  the  power ;  when  there  is  no  redress, 
since  your  application  for  justice  must  necessarily 
go  through  his  hands  in  the  regular  red-tape  pro- 
gression of  military  official  business — to  be  thus 
snubbed  is  hard,  to  the  very  superlative  of  eating 
your  own  heart  up ;  which  thousands  have  done — 
some  in  silence,  and  others  in  the  guard-house,  for 
the  indiscretion  of  thinking  out  loud. 

The  life  of  such  a  man  as  La  Scheme  was  a  living 


312  COTTON  STEALING. 

Prometheus,  with  the  difference  of  mind  consuming 
itself ;  a  carniverous  cannibal  eating  his  own  heart, 
which  grew  as  much  in  the  night  as  he  consumed 
during  the  day.  He  was  self-immolated ;  chained  by 
his  own  will  to  the  rock  of  exposure.  He  was  like 
a  certain  Frenchman,  arrested  by  Ben.  Butler, 
at  Fortress  Monroe,  for  some  offence  which  deserved 
immediate  penalty,  which  was  inflicted  without  delay 
— a  fine  of  five  hundred  dollars  and  hard  labor  on 
the  works  of  Fortress  Monroe  for  six  months. 
"But,"  says  the  Frenchman.  "Silence!  '  says  the 
angle-eyed  general.  "  Certainly,  monsieur  general," 
says  the  Frenchman;  adding,  as  he  told  the  story, 
"I  could  bite  his  nose  off." 

Thus  Kendal  La  Scheme,  day  after  day,  applied 
at  the  various  oSices  which  controlled  the  cotton  per- 
mit business ;  working  for  himself,  for  others,  by 
others,  through  others ;  observing  the  men  with 
whom  he  had  to  deal — studying  their  weaknesses, 
their  companions,  and  their  peculiarities  ;  laying 
them  under  obligations  to  him  if  possible,  and  mak- 
ing himself  useful  every  way,  without  suspicion. 
Leette  was  only  one  of  the  irons  he  had  in  the  fire. 
She  was  one  so  near  as  to  burn.  Little  as  he  cared 
for  women,  she  made  him  jealous ;  afraid  lest  she 
might  run  away  witli  his  own  bridle,  and  never  ac- 
count for  proceeds. 

"  You  love  Charlie  Hardone,  Leette.  You  forget 
your  oath,  and  your  duty." 

"  What  do  you  care  whom  I  love  ?  I  used  to  love 
you.     I  hate  you  now.     I  know  what  a  fool  I  made 


COTTON  STEALING.  313 

of  myself.  You  are  a  villain,  La  Scheme  !  a  deep- 
dyed  rascal  I" 

"  No  matter  about  the  rascal.  The  tongue  that 
uses  the  word  is  familiar  with  the  idea  guilty  or  not 
guilty.  The  Adjutant  General  is  spooney  on  you, 
and  you  play  with  him.  Why  don't  you  seek  higher 
game  ?" 

"  You  are  jealous,  Kendal  La  Scheme.  A  man 
of  conquest,  like  you,  ought  not  to  begrudge  a  pitiful 
Yankee  Lieutenant,  to  his  future  wife,  particularly 
as  she  is  instructed  to  marry  a  Yankee,  and  kill 
him." 

"  You  cannot  marry  this  one,  since  he  is  engaged." 

"  Which  means  that  I,  Leette  Ledonc,  your  affi- 
anced wife,  am  to  marry  another,  whom  you  shall 
choose,  when  you  please  to  appoint  the  day.  No,  sir. 
This  arrangement  is  in  my  own  hands.  You  are 
under  contract.  I  am  released  from  obligation. 
When  you  dare  to  marry,  then  watch  for  my  ven- 
geance. When  I  marry  the  man  I  chose,  dare  to 
interpose  and  I  will  murder  you  as  coolly  as  you 
drank  my  blood.  Kendal  La  Scheme,  you  have  made 
no  saint  of  me.  Beware  how  you  arouse  your  own 
creation  I" 

"  That  is  right,  Leette.  You  talk  as  I  would  have 
you.  Now  you  look  as  if  you  could  tread  on  any 
Yankee  soul,  could  bite  and  champ  their  hearts,  but 
I  fear  you  will  never  accomplish  it.  Even  this  Ad- 
jutant loves  his  Northern  girl  too  well,  to  more  than 
flirt  with  you  ;  and  she  is  a  good  angel,  who  despises 
in  her  heart,  pities,   the  poor  Southern  fire-eater — 


314  COTTON  STEALING. 

forced  by  circumstances  to  be  Union.  Sbe  hates  the 
business  jou  are  engaged  in,  and  has  tried  to  per- 
suade her  father  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  your 
thousand  bales.  If  she  can  only  get  her  lover  en- 
gaged in  her  plan,  down  goes  your  hundred  thous- 
and dollars,  down  goes  the  confederacy.  Shall  she 
do  it,  and  you  alone  responsible  ?  No  !  This  thing 
must  be,  despite  opposition.  Can  be,  must  be  done 
while  the  iron  is  hot.  Are  you  going  to  be  out- 
witted by  a  Yankee  girl?" 

"Has  she  gone  against  me?  I  was  sparing  that 
fellow  on  her  account.  Well,  I  will  trust  to  no  one 
in  future." 

"No  one?" 

"  There  may  be  one.  Ah !  you  mean  yourself.  La 
Scheme.  Trust  you  !  Yes.  I  know  how  far  I  can 
trust  you — when  it  is  for  your  interests." 

"  And  the  interest  of  the  Southern  Confederacy." 

"  Just  that ;  no  more.  We  understand  each  other. 
You  are  true  as  long  as  the  cause  is  safe.  I  know 
no  other  cause,  and  am  ready  to  die  for  it." 

"  Right,  Leette !  Go  to-night  with  this  pass 
through  the  lines.  Tell  the  Captain  to  press  all 
the  teams,  and  have  the  cotton  on  to  the  bank  at 
Laconia,  for  a  boat  will  come  for  it  in  two  days. 
Tell  him  this  is  a  government  transaction,  and  I 
have  the  permits  from  both  sides,  and  that  I  will 
have  supplies  for  him  and  the  army.  Every  one  of 
his  men  must  work  with  a  will,  for  high  parties  are 
interested  and  the  boat  must  not  be  detained.  Now 
remember  and  obey." 


COTTON   STEALING.  315 

Leette  did  not  go  first  to  the  guerilla  captain. 
Where  ?  To  the  blind  field  to  James  Manet.  Impul- 
sive and  wayward,  not  all  bad,  a  good  angel  strug- 
gling, striving  for  possession,  Leette  had  resolved 
to  offer  her  love  to  James,  and  if  he  would  accept,  to 
try  and  be  good.  How  much  she  intended  by  such  a 
proffer  is  impossible  to  set  forth.  She  acted  on  an 
impulse.  She  wanted  love.  One  love  to  love  above 
the  world.  Ten  thousand  other  loves  might  come  to 
her  mirror,  flit  before  it ;  behind  all  there  must  be 
another,  pure,  imperishable,  all  her  own  exclusive 
possession,  to  which,  weary,  she  might  return  and 
rest, — be  at  peace.  All  of  the  imaginary  lover  which 
was  necessary  to  fill  the  void,  she  centered  on  James 
Manet,  since  La  Scheme  had  ceased  to  be  any  longer 
her  thought-Mecca. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you,"  said  James,  thinking 
only  of  liberty. 

"  Are  you,  really  ?"  was  her  blushing  reply. 

"  Certainly.  Can  you  doubt  it  ?  Why  have  you 
been  away  so  long  ?  I  have  watched,  and  waited,  and 
watched,  and  yet  you  did  not  come,  and  now  I  am 
quite  well.  Oh,  how  glad  I  am.  But  you  are  weary 
and  worn.  You  look  tired.  Are  you  sick  ?  I  shall 
be  very  sorry  to  have  you  ill,  and  your  home  is  des- 
troyed. Did  you  find  no  friends  ?  Have  you  been 
in  trouble  ?" 

All  this  was  spoken  while  warm  hands  were  re- 
tained in  meeting.  True  sympathy  on  the  part  of 
James ;  since  it  came  spontaneously,  without  a  re- 
pulsive feature.     They  were  alone.     Yielding  to  an 


316  COTTON  STEALING. 

impulse,  she  threw  her  arms  around  his  neck,  burst 
into  tears,  and  said  : 

^'Love  me,  love  me." 

"Leette!"  exclaimed  James,  astonished  at  this 
strange   action.      She  answered  : 

''I  am  so  lonely  and  miserable." 

"  Poor  Leette,  what  can  I  do  to  make  you  happy  ?  " 

"Love  me." 

"I  do  luve  you." 

Simple  words,  which  mean  much  or  little  as  they 
contain  meaning.  They  did  not  carry  to  her  heart 
the  solace  she  craved;  but  they  were  soothing,  and 
she  needed  comfort  after  a  sleepless  night,  in  which 
her  horse  wondered  at  the  maniac  impetuosity  which 
forgot  love  to  Janie  in  the  cruel  whip.  Recovering 
herself,  she  said : 

^'  I  have  heard  of  your  mother.  Your  father-in 
law,  Wirtman,  is  in  Memphis." 

"  Is  my  mother  well  ?  " 

"  Yes.     But  your  sister  is  dead." 

^' Lilly?" 

"Yes." 

"Who  told  you?" 

"Alhe  Sandison.  Charlie  Hardone  is  there.  Ad- 
jutant to  General  Solenter.  I  hate  them, — I  knew  I 
should  hate  them." 

Lilly  Sue  dead  !  When  ?  She  did  not  know.  AlUe 
Sandison  in  Memphis,  not  married,  but  soon  to  be, 
else  why  there  ?  Leette  noticed  the  change  of  his 
face,  was  maddened  by  the  electricity  of  repulsion,  as 
she  had  been  gladdened  by  its  attraction. 


COTTON  STEALING.  317 

"  She  is  going  to  be  married  to  him  in  a  week  be- 
fore the  army  leaves  for  Vicksburg."  Impetuously  to 
him — "  You  lovelier  yet, — I  know  you  do." 

"  No  ;  only  as  I  have  always  loved  her.  Allie  is 
a  dear  good  girl  and  I  wish  her  to  be  very  happy.  I 
loved  my  sister  Lilly  more  than  any  onfe  of  the  others, 
and  she  loved  me.  I  feared  lest  she  should  pine 
away  when  brother  Henry  was  killed.  She  thought 
me  dead  and  did  not  wish  to  live.  I  shall  never  see 
her  again." 

"  Dear  James,  let  me  console  you.  Love  me — per- 
mit me  to  love  you.     I  know  what  it  is  to  be  alone." 

"  You  shall  be  my  sister." 

"  No  more  than  sister  ?" 

"Leette!" 

"Do  not  Leette  me  1  I  am  alone,  I  want 
something,— some  one.  I  am  nearly  crazy.  I  want 
some  one  to  love  me  who  is  worth  loving.  I  know  it 
is  un-lady-like  to  ask  you.  I  hate  what  is  lady  like. 
I  am  only  Leette  Ledonc.  I  want  love,  love,  love  ! 
Wont  you  love  me?"  She  seized  him  and  looked 
steadily  into  his  eyes.     There  were  tears  there. 

"  Poor  Leette  1" 

"Yes,  I  am  poor  Leette.  Make  me"  rich  Leette. 
Give  me  an  honest  man's  love.  I  have  money.  What 
is  money  without  love  ?  Oh  !  for  a  home  !  James, 
give  me  love  and  home." 

"  And  country,  Leette  ?" 

Their  relative  sexes  seemed  a  mistake,  up  to  that 
question.  Mild,  gentle,  kind  as  a  woman  ;  raging, 
furious,  vindictive  as  a  man,  her  will  seemed  already 


318  COTTON  STEALING. 

triumphant ;  but  that  word   country   was  adamant, 
and  there  his  will  was  firm  as  her  own. 

"My  country,  not  yours,"  said  she.  ''You  were 
a  dead  man ;  I  gave  you  life.  You  belong  to  me. 
My  country  is  your  country.  Love  me  ;  be  mine ; 
come  to  my  home.  I  am  rich.  We  can  be  happy. 
James,  you  will  love  me.  If  you  don't  love  me,  I 
shall  hate  you — hate  everybody." 

''Leette!  Leette!" 

"  No  more  Leettes  to  me.  Say  you  do  love  me  ; 
you  will  love  me,  or  I  shall  believe  there  is  no  love 
on  earth.  Every  man  is  a  villain, — a  rascal, — a  devil. 
I  shall  hate  the  race,  and  live  for  vengeance.  You 
do  not  answer  me  ;  you  dare  not  refuse.  If  you  do, 
I  will  wreak  my  vengeance,  not  on  you  alone,  but 
on  those  you  love.  I  can  do  it.  I  can  reach  far 
into  the  North,  to  their  very  door.  Forgive  me, 
James,  I  am  going  crazy  for  love.  You  do  love  me, 
— you  will  love  me.  Speak,  James,  I  am  hungry 
for  love!" 

"  Leette,  I  owe  my  life  to  you.  Always  shall  I 
love  and  respect — always  cherish  deep,  grateful  affec- 
tion in  return.  I  thank  you.  May  God  bless  you. 
An  evil  spell  over  your  mind  blinds  every  perception 
of  truth.  God  has  not  abandoned  earth.  Goodness, 
virtue  and  holiness  still  live,  and  there  is  forgiveness 
for  all.  Mercy  came  from  heaven  for  lost  men. 
While  I  have  been  wounded,  lessons  of  duty  have  be- 
come fixed  in  my  heart,  and  hate  and  revenge  have 
yielded  to  the  teachings  of  Him  who  reviled  not 
again.     Leette,  I  wish  you  were  a  Christian." 


COTTON  STEALING.  319 

"  Love  and  respect,  Jesus  and  religion  !  I  want 
no  love  and  respect.  There  is  no  Christ  or  religion  ! 
I  want  nothing  but  love,  and  you  will  not  love  me. 
Oh  !  it  is  because  I  am  a  Southerner.  I  hate  you. 
I  am  a  true  daughter  of  the  South.  You  are  a  Yan- 
kee. You  shall  go  to  Kichmond.  You  shall  starve 
at  Belle  Isle.  You  shall  know  better  than  to  des- 
pise the  love  of  a  Southern  lady." 

"  Leette,"  said  James,  "  I  shall  not  change.  Good- 
bye. When  you  need,  if  the  time  ever  comes,  for 
me  to  return  your  kindness,  I  shall  gladly  prove  my 
love.  If  I  ever  take  one  of  your  men  prisoner,  I 
shall  care  for  him  as  you  have  done  for  me.  I  would 
gladly,  love  you,  if  I  could,  but  my  heart  is  dead 
since  I  entered  upon  this  war.  I  do  not  expect  to 
see  it  through,  and  how  could  I  pledge  my  hand  to 
a  foe  of  my  country.  I  love  you  and  can  forgive. 
The  end  has  not  come  yet,  and  when  it  does  come,  it 
will  find  me  faithful  to  the  Union,  the  whole  country. 
I  am  your  prisoner.  I  gave  you  my  parole  of  honor. 
I  now  withdraw  it,  and  shall  escape  the  first  possible 
opportunity.  All  the  love  man  can  give  in  gratitude 
is  yours ;  but  I  never  could  marry  an  enemy  of  my 
country." 

"  Neither  could  I.  Do  you  think  I  was  in  earnest? 
No.  I  was  trying  you.  I  promised  La  Scheme  I 
would.  I  knew  I  should  make  a  failure.  You  may 
escape  if  you  can  ;  the  guerillas  and  bloodhounds  are 
on  your  track.  We  are  enemies  now, — we  always 
have  been.  You  mean,  low  lived  Yankee,  begone  ! — 
Get  out  of  my  sight !" 


320  COTTON  STEALING. 

James  without  a  hat  and  without  shoes,  walked 
slowly  into  the  blind  field  toward  the  woods,  toward 
the  slough. 

Leette  frantic,  mounted  her  horse  to  ride  to  the 
headquarters  of  the  guerilla  Captain.  Iler  love  des- 
pised. How  La  Scheme  would  laugh!  He  should 
never  know.  She  would  never  tell.  La  Scheme  was  all 
now.  Had  he  been  true  she  would  love, — yes,  she 
would  die  for  him.  When  one  thing  fails,  exclusive 
attention  to  another  may  bring  happiness  ?  No.  Busi- 
ness, cotton,  money  to  injure  the  enemy,  she  was 
still  unhappy.  Leette  was  right.  She  was  nearly 
crazy. 

James  returned  to  the  house  after  she  had  gone  and 
took  his  shoes  ;  without  them  he  could  not  throw  the 
hounds  off  the  scent  should  they  follow  him.  He  took 
them  in  his  hand  and  went  out  barefoot  again. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

Leette  found  the  Captain  with  his  men,  was  in- 
vited to  partake  of  their  hospitalities,  and  gave  them 
the  latest  news.  That  which  pertained  to  the  sup- 
plies was  particularly  agreeable,  and  all  necessary 
arrangements  for  cotton  readily  concurred  in.  Inci- 
dentally, Leette  said : 

"  Captain,  you  remember  that  Yank  I  took  under 
my  protection.  I  saw  him  to-day  down  in  old  Jim's 
shanty.  A  woman  has  harbored  him.  He  insulted 
me.  I  think  it  is  high  time  for  him  to  go  to  Rich- 
mond." 

"  Or  to  hell  !  dog  him ;  and  I  will  soon  send  him 
there." 

"  Oh,  do  not  hurt  the  man.  He  will  do  for  ex- 
change." 

"  Of  course  I  wont  hurt  him.  Lieutenant,  tell 
Bill  Wolgo  to  come  here." 

On  his  appearance,  the  captain  said : 
21 


322  COTTON    STEALING. 

"  Bill,  there  is  a  Yank  down  in  the  old  blind  field." 

"  The  devil  there  is  !  "  was  the  classic  reply. 

"  Can  you  bring  him  in  ?  " 

"  Can  a  duck  swim  ?  " 

"  Oh  don't  be  too  sure,  Bill,"  said  Leette.  "  This 
fellow  is  one  of  the  cute  ones — one  of  those  Yankee 
pedlar  chaps,  who  make  you  uns  believe  the  moon  is 
made  of  green  cheese.  You  can't  catch  him.  Be- 
sides, he  has  the  start.  I  saw  him  go  into  the 
brush." 

"When  1  get  on  his  track  all  hell  couldn't  save 
him.  I  have  trailed  a  deer  and  bear  all  day  and  taken 
his  scent  the  next  morning." 

"  There  you  are  at  the  dogs  again.  You  must  not 
let  them  bite  him." 

"  Oh,  no.  I  will  call  them  off  before  they  eat  his 
clothes  up.  Who  would  have  thought  when  I  trained 
my  pups  they'd  had  such  prime  game.  That's  all  Cap- 
tain ?" 

"  He  won't  be  taken  alive." 

"  Then  I'll  have  him  dead. 

"Not  if  you  stay  here.  Take  half  a  dozen  boys 
along." 

"All  right.  Captain." 

"A  new  uniform  with  boots  complete,"  said  Leette, 
"  if  you  bring  him  in  alive." 

"  I  will  do  it." 

Bill  Wolgo  was  a  lynx-eyed  man.  A  non-commis- 
sioned officer,  without  education,  save  as  a  rifle  and 
axe  had  taught  lessons  of  wood-craft.  His  heart  was 
big,  not  symmetrical ;  shrivelled  as  to  nobleness,  hon- 


COTTON    STEALING.  323 

or  and  rectitude,  save  as  honor  exists  among  thieves. 
This  commission  was  in  his  line,  particularly  accept- 
able. 

Without  delay  he  put  his  gang  in  motion  toward 
the  blind  field.  Arriving  there  he  made  search  but 
found  nothing, — the  bird  had  flown.  Enraged  at  this 
escape.  Bill  taxed  the  widow  with  concealing  the 
Yank.  This  was  denied,  for  since  morning  she  had 
HOC  seen  James  Manet.  Bill  had  not  taken  his  dogs, 
after  the  promise  of  the  uniform  and  new  boots,  both 
of  which  were  needed,  particularly  the  latter,  as  his 
shoes,  stolen  from  a  dead  soldier,  Avere  falling  to 
pieces,  and  he  had  no  stockings  ;  or  rather,  those  he 
wore  had  no  bottoms,  constant  use  without  washing 
having  rotted  the  feet.  The  loss  of  reward  was 
enough  to  arouse  his  passion,  add  to  the  fuel  a  burn- 
ing taiyit  of  failure  ;  then,  picture  the  fury  with 
wliichhe  reappeared  before  the  shanty  and  commanded 
the  widow  to  produce  the  Yankee  son  of  a  dog  she 
had  concealed. 

xVll  this  time.  Bill's  partners  were  driving  through 
the  woods,  beating  the  bush  for  a  trail,  and  examining 
every  sign.  There  was  one'  barefoot  track  leading 
broad  and  fair  to  the  slough.  It  went  into  the  mud, 
then  turned  after  floundering  knee  deep,  came  out  and 
walked  by  a  path  into  the  cane-brake,  then  it  followed 
the  path  and  was  lost ;  but  the  path  led  to  the  river. 

While  they  were  arguing  the  probabilities,  whether 
he  had  gone  into  the  woods  ;  whether  he  had  swum 
the  slough ;  whether  he  had  broken  trail  by  climbing 
and  using  the  grape-vine;  or,  may  be  had  a  skifi",  in 


324  COTTON  STEALING. 

which  -he  had  escaped  down  the  river  ;  or,  perhaps, 
had  attempted  to  swim  the  current  and  been  drowned: 
while  they  were  thus  arguing,  one  man  had  been  sent 
for,  the  dogs.  Meanwhile,  Bill  cursed  the  widow, 
overhauled  her  house  and  played  general  havoc. 

The  dogs  came,  and  were  set  on  the  trail  which 
they  followed,  until  they  too,  were  at  fault.  Bill 
was  now  beside  himself.  His  mind  was  an  ocean, — 
an  ocean  has  but  one  element,  water, — his  element 
was  passion.  His  ocean  was  full  of  waves ;  all  the 
intensity  of  his  nature  raging ;  every  yelp  of  his 
fierce  dogs  infuriated  him  ;  every  obstacle  maddened  ; 
thinking  himself  on  the  trail,  he  pushed  forward  to  be 
baffled,  to  be  thwarted.  He  cursed  his  dogs,  cursed 
his  men,  cursed  his  horse  ;  damned  himself,  damned 
his  name,  damned  his  eyes,  damned  his  soul,  damned 
his  mother,  damned  Leette*,  damned  his  captaii^^damn- 
ed  God,  damned  heaven,  damned  hell,  but  with  all 
his  damning,  did  not  find  the  Yankee  corporal. 

In  this  state  of  passion  he  returned  to  the  shanty 
and  again  called  out  the  widow.  Terrified  before, 
she — no  word  of  comparison  can  express  the  horror 
of  fear  which  this  human  candidate  for  hellish  immor- 
tality inspired.  An  emotion  which  all  a  mother's 
love  led  her  to  combat  for  the  sake  of  her  children, 
who  strove  to  hide  in  her  tattered  gown.  The  girl 
and  boy  were  quiet,  frightened  into  silence  :  but  the 
babe  would  not  be  still.  What  with  the  baying  of 
hounds,  the  swearing  of  mad  men,  and  the  screams 
of  the  child,  there  was  a  bedlam  wbich  rendered  Bill 
Wolgo  more  furious. 


COTTON  STEALING.  326 

"  Shet  up,  dog  you  I  If  you  dont  shet  up,  I'll  blow 
yer  brains  out." 

''  Hush  I  hush  !"  said  the  mother.  But  no  amount 
of  sootliing  could  stop  the  outcry. 

••  Make  him,  or  I'llJcill  yuh  both,  dog  you!" 

The  mother  pressed  her  child  closely  to  her  bosom, 
more  and  more  closely,  although  nourishment  was  not 
necessary  to  check  that  scream.  It  became  quiet,  and 
she  told  the  simple  truth. 

"  He's  dun  gone.  Don't  know  whar.  May  de  Lord 
neber  have  mercy  ef  I  know  whar  he's  gone.  I  can't 
tell  ye,  because  I  don't  know.  I  beg  you  'uns  to 
let  we  'uns  alone.  I  don't  want  nuffin'  to  do  wid 
you  'uns." 

Profanity,  a^j^ain  I  allude  to  the  common  lans^uase 
of  the  common  people  of  the  South ;  so  far  as  my 
observation  of  the  war  has  gone,  it  was  one  tissue  of 
oaths.  Leave  their  conversation  to  the  simple  word 
separated  from  the  intensifying  adjective,  and  it  was 
tame  as  mere  slang  devoid  of  ideas  can  be.  With 
those  warm  expletives,  every  thought  was  a  hot  shot, 
discharged  from  a  red  hot  cannon,  and  singed  wher- 
ever it  fell.  I  cannot  pretend  to  transcribe  the  con- 
versation of  Bill  Wolgo.  It  was  too  devilish.  It 
nearly  frightened  the  poor,  lone  widow  out  of  her 
senses.  Curses  and  threats,  that  suspicion  of  being 
favorable  to  the  North,  equivalent  to  death,  or  that 
worse  than  death — persecution.  No  where  to  go — 
no  home — no  husband — no  friends — no  money,  and 
three  children. 

At  this  moment,  when  Bill  made  a  motion  in  his 


326  COTTON   STEALING. 

anger  to  cut  her  face  and  breast  with  his  whip,  the 
mother  turned  to  protect  her  child,  and  uttered  a 
scream  of  anguish.  She  had  smothered  her  own 
oifspring. 

The  chiki  had  opened  its  mouth  wide,  in  one  of 
those  inhalations  which  an  angry  or  terrified  infant 
is  in  the  habit  of  giving,  when  silence  follows  a 
scream,  to  be  followed  by  one  louder  as  soon  as  a 
new  breath  is  taken.  Then  the  mother  had  pressed 
its  open  mouth  against  her  bosom,  and  had  checked 
its  subsequent  convulsive  efforts  to  escape  by  press- 
ing it  more  tightly,  until  the  impulse  of  affection  had 
proved  destruction. 

"Oh!  my  God!  Oh!  my  God!  He's  dead !  He's 
dead !" 

"  Dog  rot  the  brat,  I  am  glad  of  it.  Shot  up 
your  yaup,  or  I'll  merder  you  'uns.  I  ortcr  skelp 
ye  for  harboring  a  Yank." 

"Bill,  Bill,  they've  got  the  scent." 

"Where?" 

"Here,"  another  voice  shouted,  "In  this  drift 
pile." 

"  Set  it  on  fire.  Smoke  him  out.  Make  it  too 
hot  for  him." 

In  a  few  minutes  the  pile  of  drift  and  old  logs, 
part  of  a  tumble  down  stable,  now  overgrown  with 
cockle  burr  and  briars,  and  so  tangled  as  hardly  to 
admit  even  a  dos;,  was  on  fire.  It  was  so  larg-e  and 
thick  as  to  render  it  immovable,  without  great  ex- 
ertion ;  and  if  the  Yank  was  there,  he  could  either 
come  out  or  burn  to  death.     The  dogs  were  howling, 


COTTON  STEALING,  827 

as  only  a  bound  can,  ^\hcn  lie  is  near  his  game.  To 
render  certainty  more  certain,  one  came  out  with  an 
army  slioo. 

Leette  Ledonc  hod  too  great  interest  here  to  keep 
long  a\vay.  Passionate,  her  love  had  its  regret. 
She  loved  La  Scheme  more  than  judgment  approved, 
so  as  to  yield  when  the  opposite  hate  was  removed. 
And  her  regard  for  the  Yank  was  sufficient  to  draw 
her  to  see  the  end.  She  came  to  learn  that  her  ven- 
geance had  been  accomplished;  the  shoe  had  been  her 
gift,  she  remembered  it.  In  its  accomplishment,  she 
had  been  the  instrument  of  death  to  an  innocent 
babe. 

It  is  never  I'ight  to  do  wrong.  When  once  evil  has 
been  done,  its  consequences  are  beyond  controls  It 
may  stop  harmless.  It  may  set  others  in  motion. 
All  subsequent  ruin  and  devastation  can  never  be 
atoned  for  by  the  plea  of  innocent  intention.  "  How 
great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth." 

Leette,  with  a  woman's  impulse,  took  the  widow 
under  her  protection.  The  dogs  refused  to  follow  any 
new  trail,  which  satisfied  the  hunters  that  their  vic- 
tim w^as  consumed  in  the  flames,  since  he  had  not 
come  out.  Some  said  they  smelt  burnt  meat.  They 
had  done  their  duty — obeyed  their  orders.  Nothing 
remained.  Bill  called  off  his  dogs  and  retired. 
Leette  could  do  no  more  than  promise  a  coffin  for  the 
dead,  on  the  morrow.  It  would  have  been  charity  to 
have  kept  watch  with  the  bereaved,  but  this  was  im- 
possible.    That  dead  child  would  have  had  company. 


328  COTTON  STEALING. 

There  would  have  been  a  spectre  arising  from  the 
flames.  She  was  not  beyond  human  feelings,  and 
James  Manet  had  a  mother. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

Dear  Mother : 

"  I  am  alive,  safe,  and  with  raj  regiment  again  at 
Helena.  Thank  God.  A  beautiful  Southern  ladj, 
Miss  Leette  Ledonc,  saved  my  life,  when  wounded 
by  the  guerillas,  who  took  me  prisoiftr  on  picket.  I 
have  run  many  hair-breath  escapes — the  last  of  which 
is  not  least.  As  this  is  freshest  in  my  mind,  I  will 
tell  you  all  about  it. 

"  I  was  getting  on  nicely  with  my  wounded  arm, 
and  my  ribs  were  healing  rapidly,  when  Leette  came 
and  told  me  danger  was  threatening  my  life.  She 
promised  to  take  care  of  and  save  me,  but  I  must 
agree  to  obey  her  implicitly.  I  consented  ;  for  I 
have  had  experience  with  these  guerillas.  She  then 
led  me  to  a  lonely  log  hut,  where  a  poor  widow 
woman  was  doing  her  best  to  keep  three  little  chil- 
dren from  starvation,  and  took  my  word  of  honor  to 
stay  in  the  house  until  she  came  back ;  for,  if  seen, 
I  should  be  killed.  While  here  many  things  oc- 
curred. Leette' s  plantation  was  burned  by  our  men, 
and  I  would  have  tried  to  escape  but  for  my  word. 


330  COTTON  STEALING. 

I  was  thinking  all  the  time  of  you,  and  how  I  should 
escape.  I  felt  that  something  was  wrong  at  home — 
I  almost  knew  it ;  and,  when  Leette  told  me  Lilly  was 
dead,  you  cannot  think  how  sadly  I  felt.  She  is  in 
heaven,  darling  sister,  where  I  hope  to  meet  her  be- 
fore this  war  is  over ;  for,  though  I  have  been  so 
wonderfully  spared  through  these  past  dangers,  I 
cannot  expect  to  survive  those  which  are  yet  to 
come.  Mother,  I  shall  never  be  taken  prisoner  alive 
again.  I  had  rather  die.  Soldiers  must  die  for 
their  country ;  and  I  cannot  but  think,  if  more  of 
us  were  willing  to  die  fighting,  we  should  end  the 
war  sooner,  and  thus  save  more  lives  for  our  dear 
native  land.  It  is  worth  it  all,  dear  mother ;  and  I 
want  you  to  be^'ery  happy  in  thinking  how  glad  I 
shall  be  to  have  shed  my  blood  for  the  benefit  of  mil- 
lions yet  unborn.  Do  not  sorrow  for  me,  for  we 
shall  meet  in  a  better  land. 

"And  now  while  I  think  of  it.  I  wish  you  would 
thank  Allie  Sandison  on  my  account  for  her  kindness 
to  father  in  caring  for  him  when  he  was  sick.  You 
cannot  know,  dear  mother,  how  much  is  her  due,  for 
you  never  had  any  experience  with  the  terrible  dis- 
eases of  this  climate.  God  bless  her.  She  is  soon  to 
be  married,  Leette  tells  me.  I  am  glad,  for  she  de- 
serves to  be  happy.  I  iiope  Charlie  may  be  spared 
through  the  war,  and  they  enjoy  the  great  blessings 
of  peace,  when  Grod  shall  permit  it  to  come  again. — 
Charlie  is  very  smart  and  is  Adjutant  General. 

"  But  I  am  forgetting  how  anxious  you  must  bo  to 
know   how  I  made  my  escape.     Well,  while  I  was   a 


COTTON   STEALING.  331 

prisoner  in  the  log  house,  I  was  thinking  of  getting 
uway,  for  I  had  never  given  my  parole  not  to  escape, 
only  to  Leette.  I  knew  this  was  my  best  and  only 
ciiaiico  for  *  God's  country.'  Oh,  this  is  not  wicked  ! 
If  you  know  how  pure,  how  good,  how  holy  the  North 
is  in  comparison  with  this  slavery  cursed  land,  you 
would  appreciate  our  feelmgs  when  we  think  of  home 
as  'God's  country.*  'God's  country*  was  far  nearer 
the  Mississippi  river  than  it  is  Richmond,  and  I  wa3 
right.  So  I  dug  under  the  shanty  and  made  a  tunnel 
to  an  old  barn  which  had  tumbled  down  and  become 
full  of  weeds,  briars,  and  drift  wood.  I  got  it  fixed 
to  my  mind  and  ready,  all  but  one  thing.  And  God 
sent  that  to  me, — the  way  to  escape  the  bloodhounds. 
They  set  thom  on  my  track  and  had  nearly  caught  me, 
for  I  lost  one  shoe  which  the  dogs  found  and  so  dis- 
covered the  place  where  I  got  into  the  old  barn.  I 
had  stopped  up  the  hole  to  prevent  them  from  getting 
in.  Here  again  God  was  on  my  side.  Thank  our 
pastor  for  that  little  Testament.  I  have  it  next  my 
heart,  and  when  I  am  shot  it  shall  be  still  with  me. 
How  it  has  comforted  me  !  I  have  faith  in  God.  Bless 
Him  for  his  preserving  care  of  your  son. 

''Those  guerillas  were  in  such  a  hurry  they  set  fire 
to  the  barn,  thinking  to  smoke  me  out.  They  did 
not  know  I  was  safe  under  the  house  in  my  tunnel.  I 
had  profited  by  the  negro's  secret  and  so  scented, 
you  would  hardly  call  burnt  cow  horn  a  pleasant  per- 
fume, but  it  saved  my  life.  I  had  my  shoes  and  bed 
clothes,  not  much  but  burnt  cotton,  and  the  boards 
where  I  slept  I  also  rubbed  with  it,  and  the  logs  of 


832  COTTON   STEALING. 

tlie  house.  I  heard  the  hounds  run  over  my  head, 
smelling  and  sneezing,  but  they  did  not  detect  me. — 
You  may  believe  I  prayed  then.  Oh,  mother,  God 
does  hear  prayer,  and  he  will  deliver  our  beloved 
country  safely  out  of  this  terrible  calamity  he  has 
permitted  to  come  upon  it. 

''  Dear  mother,  one  of  the  saddest  things  happened 
there  that  night.  That  widow  had  a  little  baby  boy, 
which  she  smothered  to  prevent  it  screaming  before 
the  dreadful  guerillas.  That  night  after  they  had  all 
gone  and  left  her  alone,  Leotte  went  away  last.  The 
next  morning  she  brought  a  small  cracker  box  for  a 
coffin,  with  some  white  cotton  clothes  for  a  shroud, 
and  then  think  she  set  the  guerillas  on  me  1  'and  she 
actually  dug  the  grave  and  assisted  at  the  funeral. 
What  a  woman  !  She  did  not  think  I  was  alive.  She 
did  not  know  I  had  been  minister.  Your  son  James 
a  minister  !  But  1  was,  I  preached  comfort  all  that 
long  night  to  the  poor  mother.  I  had  the  words  in 
my  heart,  for  I  have  learned  many  chapters.  I  have 
not  been  idle,  and  I  prayed  over  the  little  body  with 
her,  so  that  she  felt  resigned.  I  told  her  the  babe 
had  gone  to  heaven.  It  did  seem  to  me  as  if  Lilly 
was  with  me,  and  I  told  the  poor  woman  she  was ;  and 
I  told  her  I  knew  the  child  was  an  augel,  and  had  one 
friend  among  the  angels.  The  bereaved  mother  be- 
lieved me.  She  said,  'It  made  her  feel  easier  to 
think  that  he  was  not  amons  strangers.' 

"  This  woman  has  several  bags  of  cotton,  which  I 
wish  she  could  sell,  as  she  wants  to  get  North,  where 
white  men  are  free  and  poor  white  children  can  get  a 
common  school  education. 


COTTON   STEALING.  333 

"  This  is  a  great  w:iy  off  from  my  escape,  but  I 
have  so  much  to  tell  you  I  do  not  know  how  to  write. 
I  shall  have  to  try  and  do  it,  by-and-by.  I  must, 
and  in  a  very  few  words.  After  the  guerillas  thought 
I  was  burnt  to  death,  they  did  not  come  near  the 
house.  Not  lonf]:  after  I  succeeded  in  calling  the 
attention  of  a  gun-boat,  passing  up  the  river,  and  I 
was  taken  on  board,  and  here  I  am. 

"  There  is  soon  to  be  another  move  to  Vicksburo^, 
and  we  are  to  go.  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  fight 
again.  You  may  think  .it  strange,  but  I  wish  you 
would  write  Leette  and  thank  her  for  her  kindness  to 
your  son.  She  saved  my  life.  Leette  is  a  great 
rebel,  and  has  had  some  bitter  disappointments, 
which  have  made  her  lose  faith  in  all  men.  I  cannot 
hate,  and  yet  I  cannot  love  her.  She  hates  the  Yan- 
kees. I  want  her  to  know  my  mother  can  forgive. 
I  am  sure  she  would  love  you.  God  bless  you,  dear 
mother,  and  write  very,  very  soon  to  your 
Affectionate  son, 

James." 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

Leette  returned  to  Memphis  after  her  thdiisand 
bale  business  was  arranged ;  but  not  until  she  had 
visited  the  rebel  army.  Like  one  of  those  possessed, 
the  spirit  would  not  permit  her  to  be  at  rest.  As  soon 
as  her  mission  to  the  guerilla  was  accomplished  time 
hung  heavily ;  therefore,  awjiy  went  her  fleet  racer 
to  the  camp  where  her  friends  held  General  Grant  in 
check.  Here  she  soon  tired  of  the  siglits  of  sickness 
and  suffering — contrasting  the  garments,  the  rations, 
the  hospitals,  and  all  their  Avant,  starvation  of  sup- 
plies, etc.,  with  the  abundance  which  existed  in  the 
Federal  camps  at  Memphis.  Quinine — ten  dollars 
for  a  single  dose  was  freely  offered  by  men  in  the 
raging  fever. 

In  the  South  medicine  is  given  in  quantities  to  as- 
tonish the  profession  at  the  North.  What,  there, 
would  be  enough  to  kill  a  patient,  hardly  produces 
any  effect  upon  the  poisonous  diseases  of  this  cli- 
mate. 

The  impulsive  Leette — craving  excitement ;  carry- 
ing in  her  soul  a  raging  adversary,  which  kept  her 
ever  active ;  striving  to  run  away  from  herself — took 


COTTON    STEALING.  335 

up  the  will  to  smuggle  tlirough  the  lines  sufficient 
quinine  for  the  army.  The  comparison  of  a  mirror 
continues  to  represent  her  mind.  BeTore  tliat  mir- 
ror, spurring  her  weary  animal,  faster,  faster,  was  the 
great  word,  *'  Quinine."  There  was  painted  the 
army  sick,  without  quinine  ;  well,  with  quinine.  It 
buzzed  in  her  ears  and  rang  in  her  brain.  In  Mem- 
phis she  saw  only  one  sight — a  room  where  quinine 
enough  to  supply  the  whole  army  was  hidden.  "  Get 
it  out,  Leette,"  seemed  to  be  sounding  like  a  thunder- 
call.  How  ?  I  do  not  know.  Not  by  walking  her 
horse,  fifty  miles  from  Memphis.  So  slic  struck  poor 
weary,  patient  Janie,  willing  but  worn ;  with  every 
blow  saying,  "  Quinine,  Janie.  Get  it  out.  Get  up, 
Janie.  Quinine!  We  must  get  it  out.  Quinine, 
Janie." 

Such  driving  will  exhaust  any  animal.  It  was  too 
much  for  Janie.  Another  horse  supplied  the  place, 
and,  broken  down,  the  favorite  followed,  a  day  be- 
hind, to  enter  the  stable  for  the  last  time. 

But,  at  Memphis,  a  new  picture  came  upon  the 
stage,  driving  quinine  from  the  mind  as  effectually 
as  if  it  had  never  been.  This  was  Charlie  and 
Allie. 

Before  she  left,  there  was  a  report  that  these  were 
to  be  married.  Going  into  society  on  her  return, 
Leette  saw  them  together;  saw  that  Allie  had  re- 
covered her  influence  over  Charlie,  and  that  she  had 
lost  ground.  She  remembered  her  first  impression, 
and  the  wish  for  revenge.  She  remembered  the 
charge  to  win  a  Yankee's  love,  then  trample  it  down. 


336  COTTON  STEALING. 

She  saw  herself  thwarted  by  a  man  who  had  loved 
this  very  AUie  Sandison  ;  that  James  Manet,  who 
refused  Southern  love,  Southern  home ;  and  the  same 
woman  was  robbincr  her  ajrain.  What  would  La 
Scheme  say  ?  As  if  to  enforce  the  thought,  she 
turned  her  eye  from  them  to  meet  his — speaking  to 
her  the  very  words  of  taunt.  And,  as  if  that  was 
not  enough,  the  happy  pair  came  to  her — Allie  say- 
ing : 

"  Miss  Ledonc,  we  have  heard  from  James  Manet. 
He  is  in  Helena  with  his  regiment.  Can  you  tell  how 
he  escaped  ?     Aren't  you  glad  ?" 

"Have  you  heard  the  news?"  asked  Charlie.  "We 
are  going  down  to  Yicksburg  next  week  to  clean  that 
out  and  open  the  Mississippi  to  New  Orleans." 

Lcette  had  need  to  think, — to  work,  lest  her  plans 
should  be  frustrated.  Undoubtedly  they  would  be 
married^  immediately.  No,  never.  Her  heel  must 
crush  that  out.  A  peculiarity  in  great  demons  lays 
in  sacrificing  the  malignity  of  gloating  over  their  tri- 
umphs before  the  face  of  the  wronged,  not  taunting 
them  with,  "  There  I  told  you, — I  did  it, — You  suf- 
fer now, — How  glad  I  am."  The  devil  enjoys  the 
ruin, — the  wreck,  and  chuckles  to  himself  over  the 
misery  wrought.     A  plan  was  devised  in  a  moment. 

"  Allie,  you  can  judge  of  my  surprise  when  I 
reached  home,  to  hear  that  James  was  alive.  I  had 
forgotten  that  I  told  him  to  hide  from  the  guerillas, 
those  wretches  who  fired  on  the  boats  and  drew  the 
shells  of  the  gun-boat  on  my  ^^lantation.  I  hea,rd 
they  were  coming,  and  now  remember  distinctly  tell- 


COTTO\  STEALTXG. 

ing  hiiii  to  liil  \  I  sent 
chopper's  Iml.  But  in  the  alarm  and  confusion  of 
the  battle  and  conflagration,  he  passed  out  of  my 
mind,  until  some  one  said  he  was  dead,  killed  and 
burnt  as  I  told  you,  and  I  believed  it.  You  may  be 
sure  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  his  safety," 

Just  here  La  Scheme's  presence  became  a  con- 
sciousness. To  catch  his  eye,  to  know  that  he  un- 
derstood, to  read  his  thought  of  gratification  in  a  de- 
feat similar  to  his  own,  prompted  a  change  of  story. 

"  Allie.  would  you  believe  me?  He  waited  there 
for  me.  He  told  me, — no,  I  will  not  tell  you  before 
Mr.  Hardone.  That  is  a  secret.  But  you  need  not 
be  jealous,  Adjutant.  James  is  a  fine  man,  and  I 
can't  tell  you  what  he  told  me.  His  love  is  worth 
havinfT,  I  know.  He  thous^ht  you  were  married  and 
there  was  no  more  hope  for  him,  so  he  gave — there  I 
am  telling  James'  secret.  He  is  a  dear  fellow,  I  do 
not  wonder  you  love  him,  Allie." 

"  How  did  he  escape?"  asked  La  Scheme.  ''  You 
had  his  parole."  Those  keen,  sharp  eyes  were  fixed 
to  read  her  secret.  Knowing  he  mistrusted,  she 
would  not  permit  him  to  have  the  sa  isf  i  •  i  -n  of  even 
looking  those  hateful  words,  '•  I  thought  so." 

"  Not  parole  of  honor.  You  know  he  never  woula 
give  that.  His  parole  of  love,  and  I  gave  it  back  to 
him  to  redeem  after  the  war,  or  wdien  he  got  a  dis- 
charge." 

"  That  does  not  explain  his  escape,"  La  Scheme 
persisted. 

"  I  i\o  not  know  how  he  escaped.** 
90! 


338  COTTON    STEALING. 

'•  ]\Ir.  La  Scheme,"  said  Charlie,  "How  can  you 
be  so  ungallant  as  to  ask  a  lady  such  a  question  ? — 
She  desires  to  conceal  her  instrumentality.  This  is 
a  mixed  company.  It  might  not  be  safe.  Not  every 
one  would  have  courage  to  aid  a  Union  soldier  to  es- 
cape." 

Lectte,  on  her  part,  turned  an  angry,  haughty  look 
of  contempt  on  La  Scheme,  saying, — 

"  When  I  saw  him  last,  he  was  going  barefoot  into 
the  woods.  Towards  evening,  I  heard  the  dogs  bark- 
ing in  that  direction.  I  could  not  stay,  but  rode 
down.  When  I  got  there  they  had  a  brush  pile  on 
fire.  If  I  must  tell  you  the  whole  truth,  a  soldier's 
wife  had  just  lost  a  babe,  and  I  did  not  think  of  any 
thing  else  but  comforting  the  poor  mother  who  had 
taken  care  of  him  when  I  was  gone.  Are  you  satis- 
fied?" 

La  Scheme  understood  the  question,  but  did  not 
answer.  AUie  and  Charlie  saw  a  woman's  true  kind 
heart  doing  good.  But  ovef  Allie's  heart  was  the 
same  disagreeable  sensation  which  made  her  feel  sus- 
picious, of  which  she  was  ashamed, — angry  at  herself 
because  she  could  not  like  one  who  had  been  so  kind. 

The  position  in  which  Leette  was  placed  was  far 
from  desirable  ;  add  to  it  a  most  intense  anxiety  to 
know  of  the  success  of  the  cotton  trip,  and  it  will  be 
easy  to  understand  her  eagerness  to  leave  this  un- 
pleasant neighborhood ;  so  when  La  Scheme  offered 
his  arm  for  a  promenade,  she  readily  accepted.  Yet 
this  position  was  not  entirely  satisfactory,  for  La 
Scheme  demanded  an  explanation,  and  he  would  ob- 


COTTON  STEALING.  339 

tain  the  truth,  her  denial  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
Btanding.  Oh  !  how  she  hated  Ids  penetration.  Con- 
sequently, she  began  conversation  by  asking, 

"  Were  you  successful  in  the  cotton  ?" 

"  Yes,  but  the  boat  and  every  0:1c  on  board  was 
arrested  as  soon  as  she  came  here.  Every  detective, 
every  provost  guard,  every  treasury  agent,  large  or 
email,  was  after  the  cotton." 

"  You  were  not  arrested  ?" 

'  No  ;  I  was  too  sharp  for  them.  I  had  everything 
arranged,  going  on  the  boat  myself." 

"  Did  you  get  the  money  ?" 

"  To  be  sure.  They  would  not  trust  me,  nor 
would  I  them.  So  it  was  agreed  to  deposit  the 
amount  in  the  safe  of  the  boat,  in  the  charge  of  the 
clerk,  subject  to  my  order  when  the  thousand  bales 
came  on  board.  I  let  it  remain  until  we  reached 
Memphis  ;  but  after  \vm  had  the  cotton  all  shipped 
and  were  backed  out,  took  Sandison  to  the  office, 
passed  papers,  and  took  his  acknowledgment  before 
the  clerk  that  it  was  my  money.  Then,  as  soon  as 
we  landed,  before  the  guard  had  time  to  get  on  board, 
I  drew  the  deposit  and  went  ashore.  It  was  well, 
for  I  should  have  been  kept  a  prisoner  ;  but  they 
were  not  sharp  enough." 

'^  Will  they  take  you  now  ?" 

'•'■  Not  the  slightest  danger.  I  have  put  the  money 
where  they  cannot  get  it  and  that  is  all  they  are 
after.     But  how  about  this  Yankee  ?" 

"  Hush  !  that  animal  is  watching.  I  never  liked 
her.      She  suspects,  La  Scheme.      La  Scheme,  you 


8i0  COTTON  STEALING. 

must  manage  to  separate  the  turtle  doves.  I  must 
gpeak  to  each  alone." 

^'  Leette,  you  cannot  deceive  me  ;  you  failed,  as  I 
knew  you  would." 

"  Failed?  I  would  not  have  succeeded  for  worlds. 
Miserable  fanatic  !  he  was  too  low  for  my  contempt ! 
I  am  angry  with  you,  since  your  wish  made  me  waste 
such  attention  on  the  dirty  dog.  I  wish  he  was  dead. 
When  I  saw  our  poor  men  dying  for  want  of  medi- 
cine— when  I  thought  what  abundance  there  was  in 
the  Yankee  lines — I  could  not  contain  any  longer. 
And  then,  after  I  saw  his  sleek,  fat  face,  so  changed 
from  the  pale,  wounded  prisoner,  whose  life  you 
saved,  saw — and  seeing,  knew — the  detested  Yankee 
wretch  owed  it  all  to  me:  I, — I  set  the  blood-hounds 
on  him.  That  is  all  I  know  about  it.  There  is 
something  more  important,  and  you  must  help  me. 
Quinine  ;  I  must  supply  our  army  with  quinine. 
The  quinine  is  in  the  city,  and  I  must  and  will  get 
it  out." 

"  More  important  than  quinine  is  the  news  you 
have  heard  to-night.  Where  is  Janie.  You  must 
carry  this  information  to  headquarters  immediately." 

''Janie  was  brought  in  yesterday  foundered.  I 
shall  never  ride  her  again." 

"  You  must  go  immediately.  The  Adjutant  has  a 
good  horse.  Try  and  get  both  a  pass  through  the 
lines  and  his  horse.  The  more  difficult  his  consent, 
the  more  persistent  his  opposition,  the  higher  must 
you  bid.     Promises  cost  nothing." 

"  But  the  quinine ;  I  will  not  go  through  the  lines 
without  the  quinine." 


COTTON  STEALING.  o41 

"  That  Is  an  after  matter.  Now  you  must  get  the 
pass.  Ch-ders  against  any  person,  whatever,  leaving 
the  city  arc  most  stringently  enforced  ;  several  I 
have  got  beyond  the  inner  pickets,  have  been  ar- 
rested by  the  cavalry.  You  have  a  most  difficult 
task.  Begin  by  separating  the  two  fools.  You  can 
lead  her.  She  hates  me.  Your  only  chance  for  a 
pass  is  through  the  Adjutant  General.  I  will  lay 
the  track  you  shall  persuade  him." 

La  Scheme  led  Leette  again  near  the  Adjutant, 
and  his  intended  saying,  as  they  met  in  their  prom- 
enade, "Now  is  your  time."  Instantly  Leette,  meet- 
ing Charlie,  said : 

''  You  Avill  not  be  jealous  if  I  give  Miss  Sandison  a 
particular  message  from, the  Corporal?  " 

"Certainly,"  said  La  Scheme;  "Miss  Sandison 
is  too  honorable  to  be  under  any  suspicion  of  lack  of 
affection  to  her  intended,  though,"  turning  toward 
Hardone,  "  that  Corporal  is  worth  a  woman's  smile. 
Do  not  fear,  Miss  Ledonc  has  received  token  of  his 
love." 

Manner  is  everything.  The  insinuations  of  actions 
and  looks  were  inimitable  forerunners  to  slander. 
Leette  said  : 

"  Dear  Allie,  you  cannot  krK)w  how  much  pain  it 
gives  me  to  be  compelled  to  confess  what  I  now  must 
do.  But  you  were  a  friend  of  James'  mother,  and 
you  loved  him.  It  is  very  sad  to  injure  the  good 
name  of  any  person  in  the  world.  No  temptation, 
however  great,  could  make  me  do  so.  I  would  lose 
my  soul  first.     But  what  would  you  think  if  I  should 


342  COTTON  STEALING. 

tell  you  that — Oh  !  I  cannot :  How  can  I  so  debase 
your  good  opinion  of  me  !  IIoay  can  I  tell  you  this 
wrong  act  of  one  whom  you  so  loved — whose  friends 
are  so  respectable.     Oh  !  Allie,  pity  me." 

The  hypocritical  actor  put  her  hand  on  AUic's 
shoulder,  and  shook  hysterically  while  several  deep 
sobs  choked  down  tears ;  she  was  too  proud  to  weep. 
Allie  was  horror-struck  at  the  awful  something  ;  a 
midnight  thunder  cloud,  full  of  blackness, — elec- 
tricity,—  thunder, — hail-stones,  —  rain,  which  had, 
without  warning,  taken  tempestuous  possession  of  a 
clear,  summer  sky. 

"  Oh,  Allie  !  I  was  alone.  I  did  not  expect  It  of 
him.  I  did  love  him  so.  When  I  found  he  was 
alive  I  was  so  glad.  I  went  to  him,  and  he — oh,  for- 
give me.     I  was  —  " 

Again  she  put  her  head  on  the  hand  which  had 
not  been  removed  from  AUie's  shoulder.  They  had 
gone  from  the  others,  and  were  by  themselves  in  an 
alcove.  That  hand  which  held  Allie  by  all  the  will- 
power the  earthly  demon  could  summon.  The  same 
will  which,  with  all  its  strength,  strove  to  crush  the 
heart  before  her. 

And  Allie — was  cold  as  stone.  The  meaning  did 
not  dawn  clearly  upon  her.  Those  who  have  trav- 
elled on  the  great  Mississippi  have  often  observed  on 
foggy  mornings,  after  the  sun  had  risen  and  the 
snow-mist  been  scattered,  the  beautiful  gossamer 
veils,  which  become  more  attenuated  and  spidery 
every  second  the  sun  looks  at  them, — have  sometimes 
sailed  behind  them,  whereon  they  were  under  their 


COTTON    STEALING.  343 

shadow.  The  meaning  Leettc  intended  Allie  should 
infer  was  indistinct,  yet  palpahle  as  thf*  shadow  of  a 
gossamer  fog  on  the  Mississippi.  She  was  silent, 
waiting.  The  positive  and  negative  of  animal  elec- 
tricity were  in  repulsion,,  and  unable  to  explain. 
Allie  could  not  overcome  her  aversion  to  speak. 

Then  Leette,  realizing  her  failure,  took  the  next 
desperate  step  in  falsehood.  Almost  groaning,  she 
said  : 

"  Oh,  Allie  !  would  you  love  me  less  if  I  was  to 
tell  you  I  was  a  mother  without  being  his  wife  ?  " 

Seizing  the  hand  which  lay  on  her  shoulder  and 
tiirowing  it  violently  from  her,  with  a  whole  sea  of 
scorn-waves  in  her  eyes  and  face,  Allie  repeated,  "A 
mother,  without  being  his  wife  !  It  is  false  !  "  When 
she  threw  Leette's  arm  away,  so  violently  it  turned 
her  around.  An  expression  of  hate  passed  over  the 
averted  face  which  would  have  made  Allie  fear.  But 
when  Leette  turned  again,  the  consummate  actress 
had  resumed  her  role,  and  appeared  unchanged. 
Leette  instantly  seized  her  hand  and  put  it  to  her 
lips. 

"  Forgive  me,  Allie,  it  is  true.  Oh  !  I  am  so 
wretched.  Won't  you  pity  me  ?  Do  not  cast  me 
away  !  I  am  alone,  an  orphan.  My  home  is  burnt, 
my  friends  lost !  I  am  alone,  alone  !  No  one  cares 
for  me.  It  is  no  use  for  me  to  love  ;  where  I  love  I 
always  find  misery.  Allie,  do  not  look  at  me  so.  Oh!" 
Putting  her  hand  on  her  breast  as  to  relieve  a  sud- 
den pain,  Leette  gave  a  half  suppressed  shriek.  Allie 
drew  her  to  a  chair  and  seated  her  there.  La  Scheme 


344  COTTJ.N  STEALING. 

who  h<ad  been  a  carerul  watcher  at  a  distance,  was 
approaching,  having  left  Cliarlie  in  tlie  smoking 
room.  Lcette  placed  her  hands  on  her  face,  for  the 
effort  of  acting  had  been  wearisome,  and  while  it  was 
thus  covered,  she  permitted  it  to  assume  the  natural 
expression  of  molten  passion.  She  was  men  tally  a 
vulture,  and  hungry,  ravenous  to  consume  Allie's 
heart. 

Allie  answered,  '•  Whatever  there  may  be  I  iVcjly 
forgive.  So  far  as  I  know  there  is  nothing.  What- 
ever ^/ow  may  have  done,  I  believe  liim  incapabrj  of  a 
dishonorable  act, — not  the  act  of  w^hich  you  charge 
liim.  It  is  impossible-  He  has  too  good  a  mother, 
he  loves  her.     Rather  than  believe  him  guilty — " 

Allie  paused  a  moment ;  strong  emotions  were 
struggling.  At  this  moment  La  Scheme  was  near 
enough  to  hear  her  words,  for  Leette  to  hear  his  ap- 
proach. She  turned  a  face  on  fire  with  hate  and  rage 
toward  him ;  but  at  his  mute  look  of  warning,  it 
changed,  and  when  Allie  resumed, 

"  I  vrould  believe  you  a  false,  perjured  woman." — 
Then  unable  to  check  the  strong  impulse  of  instinct, 
added,  "  and  you  are." 

Leette  sprang  before  her  turning  away. 

'■'  Stay  1  leave  me  not  thus.  I  lell  you  the  truth. — 
You  are  too  good,  too  unsuspecting.  You  do  not 
know  what  this  war  has  mr:de  men.  How  it  has  de- 
based them  I  Oh  !  if  I  had  never  known  !  I  was  once 
unsuspecting.  God  forgive  me  I  What  I  am  now  he 
has  made  me.  It  is  the  holy  truth  ;  I  declare  it  on 
my  sacred  honor. 


COTTON  STEALING.  345 

Still  AUie  was  unconv^iTiced.  Her  ears  heard  these 
frantic  Icclarations,  but  her  heart  was  unconscious. 
A  (leaf  and  blind  person  in  a  room  where  the  stove 
habitually  smokes,  may  be  uneasy  at  a  breath  more 
pungent  than  common,  but  on  that  account  does  not 
imagine  the  house  on  fire.  Leette  had  been  disa- 
greeable from  first  acquaintance,  and  Allie,  though 
uneasy,  was  not  convinced.  Between  the  word  of  a 
woman  she  disliked,  and  the  memory  of  a  man  she 
honored,  she  clung  to  the  latter,  she  rephed  by  only 
one  word, — 

''The  dogs?" 

^"I  saved  him;  I  took  him  from  them  ;  he  owed  his 
Ufe  to  me,  and  he  trifled  with  my  honor." 

"  It  is  false  !  James  Manet  is  incapable  of  ingrati- 
tude.    I  do  not  believe  you.     Lot  me  go." 

Allie  left  her  without  a  look.  Leette  gazing  on  her 
departure  hke  a  caged  tigress  hungry  for  blood,  was 
recalled  to  hcrsClf  and  another  school  of  deception  by 
La  Scheme's  cutting  comment, — 

"  Failed  again  !" 

^'1  have  not  failed." 

"You  lied." 

"  I  did  not  lie.  I  deceived  a  Yankee.  I  do  right. 
In  such  a  cause  lies  by  the  millions  are  ble.Lsings.  I 
have  planted  a  thorn  in  her  heart  which  will  stab  her 
to  death.  It  will  go  to  her  home  and  stab  his  mother. 
I  wish  it  would  drag  her  grey  hair  in  sorrow  to  the 
grave.  If  it  could  only  disgrace  that  old  white  head- 
ed father-in-law,  and  bhght  the  prospects  of  his  sistei, 
I  should  glory  in  it 


346  COTTON  STEALING. 

"Leette,  you  are  a  jewel,  I  knew  it,  I  always  knew 
it.  You  have  done  for  Sandison's  daughter.  Try 
your  hand  on  this  Adjutant  General,  I  have  failed,  I 
cannot  get  even  the  prospect  of  a  pass  for  you.  I  told 
him  of  another  thousand  bales  of  cotton.  He  replied 
that  General  Sherman  was  an  old  fool  and  had  closed 
the  trade  entirely  until  after  Vicksburg  was  taken.  It 
is  impossible  for  you  to  get  through  on  that  plea. — - 
Not  that  he  personally  was  unwilling,  but  the  orders 
were  too  strict  and  he  dare  not  disobey.  Your  pass 
must  come  from  the  General  commanding  himself. — 
The  Adjutant  General  is  the  only  man  under  heaven 
who  can  do  anything  for  you,  and  he  tells  me  he  can- 
not.  It  is  useless  to  ask." 

Allie  Sandison,  leaving  the  alcove,  found  Mr. 
Wirtman,  her  only  friend,  in  the  mixed  company 
who  occupied  the  parlors.  She  joined  him,  tliinking 
Charlie,  as  was  often  the  case,  might  have  been 
called  away  on  business,  and  he  was  not  always  kind 
enough  to  excuse  himself.  Mr.  Wirtman,  too  much 
of  a  gentleman  to  neglect  any  person — to  Allie  more 
of  a  parent  than  her  own  father — cheerfully  took 
her  under  protection,  and,  when  a  message  came  for 
him  to  come  home,  "A  soldier  wants  to  see  you  im- 
mediately," he  said,  "You,  too,  Allie.  Perhaps  it 
is  James." 

Thus,  when  La  Scheme  sought  the  adjutant  gen- 
eral, and  brought  him  back,  he  found  no  one  save 
Leette,  who  having  accidentally  overheard  the  mes- 
sage to  Mr.  Wirtman,  and  the  name  James,  had  a 


COTTON  STEALINQ.  347 

key  to  open  her  new  operations  ;  though  she  did  not 
use  it,  as  she  first  intendtMl  to  excite  his  jealousy, 
for  Charlie»said,  anticipating  her  words  : 

''  I  know  what  you  would  say.  La  Scheme  has 
told  mo.  It  is  useless.  I  cannot  give  you  a  pass  on 
any  consideration  whatever." 

"  She  shook  her  head  with  language  which  beauty 
makes  more  eloquent  than  words.  He  smiled,  but 
replied  : 

"  I  moan  it  all.  You  cannot  tempt  me.  I  know 
of  th;^  cotton ;  but  that  is  blocked  for  the  present. 
Beside?,  we  ran  such  risks  on  the  last,  and  the  Gov- 
ernment is  watching  us  so  closely,  tliat  the  General 
will  do  no  more  business  in  that  way.  We  shall 
never  buy  on  our  own  acco.mt  again."  • 

"  How  is  that  ?  "  asked  La  Scheme. 

"  We  shall  demand  our  share  in  cash  before  we 
sign  a  permit.  Not  a  pound  can  come  in  or  go  out 
until-  its  owner  has  paid  u^  for  his  privileges.  We 
hold  the  cards,  then,  without  risk  of  detection  or  fear 
of  loss.  So  you  see  I  have  no  need  of  any  cotton 
now.  You  will  have  to  wait,  Miss  Leette,  until  Gen- 
eral Sherman  goes  away  before  you  can  get  out  the 
cotton." 

"General,"  said  Leette,  ''are  you  really  in  ear- 
nest? I  liked  you  so  well.  Why!  I  thought  we 
were  partners!     I  must  have  dreamed." 

"  I  feel  highly  flattered,"  was  Hardone's  retort, 
*'  to  be  a  partner  in  your  dreams.     Was  it  ^a  pleasant 

0" 

one  : 

They  were  interrupted  by  a  voice  saying,  ''  You 
are  joking,  Miss  Ledonc." 


348  COTTON    STEALING. 

"Mr.  La  Scheme  !"  said  she  haughtily,  "  Would 
you  throw  discredit  on  my  word  ?" 

"  By  no  means.  Excuse  me.  I  beg  yoyr  pardon. 
T  will  intrude  no  longer." 

He  left  them  alone. 

"  I  did  dream  we  were  partners,  General.  Why 
aren't  you  General  in  place  of  that  fellow?  You 
are  so  much  smarter  than  he.  I  wish  you  were.  I 
should  he  afraid  of  you. 

''Why?" 

"  I  dare  not  tell.  You  would  be  too  vain.  But 
it  is  no  use  for  me  to  wish.  When  are  you  going  to 
be  married?     Oh  !  do  you  think  she  loves  you?" 

"  Of  course,  why  not?" 

"  Why  ?  I — I  ought  not  to  say  a  word  ;  but  I  am 
an  impulsive  Southern  woman,  and  if  I  like  a  person 
I  cannot  hold  back  like  those  cold  females  who  in- 
habit the  North.  I  have  talked  with  her,  and  she 
has  no  passion,  no  fire,  no  enthusiasm.  She  is  all 
hospital,  and  she  does  not  care.  I  won't  say  it  ;  it 
will  hurt  you.  No  ;  you  are  a  man.  Yes  ;  I  know 
you  are.  You  love  her,  and  she  does  not  love  you. 
I  know  whom  she  does  love, — that  Corporal !  Do 
not  shake  your  head,  nor  turn  away.  T  am  not  jeal- 
ous. I  would  be  if  you  loved  me.    Oh !  how  I  would—" 

Charlie  turned  toward  her,  eyes  wide  open,  and 
saw  her  hands  on  her  heart,  while  she  withdrew  an 
expression  of  loving  possibiUty  from  her  face,  assum- 
ing the  bashful  consciousness  of  being  surprised. 

"  If  you  do  not  believe  me,  go  to  Mr.  Wirtman's 
and  see  for  yourself." 


COTTON   STEALINO.  349 

Charlie  knew  Allio  had  cause  against  him.  None 
are  more  sensitive  than  the  guilty.  lie  had  not 
reached  the  point  of  guilt  where  sensitiveness  be- 
comes shameless.  Before  he  had  quite  gone,  Leette 
put  her  soft  hand  on  his  arm  and  detained  him. 

"  You  are  going  away  so  soon  !  Perhaps  you  will 
die.     I  may  never  see  you  again." 

He  put  his  hand  on  his  forehead,  murmuring  to 
himself,  *'  Is  it  possible  !  She  docs  love  me." 
Leette's  face  was  covered  by  her  handkerchief. 
Kindly  putting  his  hand  on  her  shoulder,  he  said  : 

^'  Miss  Leette.     Leette  !  I  am  astonished." 

"1  cannot  help  it.  I  never  could  be  calm  as 
Northern  women.  And  you  are  going  to  war,  and 
may  be  killed.  Whereon  she  drew  into  his  arm 
and  put  her  head  on  his  shoulder. 

"  But,  dear  Leette! — " 

"  Oh  !  am  I  dear  to  you  ?  Just  a  little.  I  felt  it 
in  my  heart.     I  knew  you  did  not  hate  me." 

^'Hate!     No.     Oh,  no  !  " 

"Then  give  me  one  good-bye."  She  raised  her 
lips,  which  on  his  part  were  met,  while  she  drew  on 
a  beautiful  smile,  and  looked  lovingly  from  eyes  she 
had  reddened  by  rubbing,  said,  "You  will  think 
of  me,  Charlie  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  will." 

"  And  will  you  do  me  one  great  favor  before  I  go? " 

"  Certainly,  if  it  will  make  you  happy.  What  can 
I  do  ?  " 

"  Come  and  see  me  when  you  return." 

"  I  will  do  that  certainly.     And  now  I  must  go." 


850  COTTON  STEALING. 

"So  soon?" 


a 


Yes.  Good-bye.  What,  another  ?  I  am  rich." 
She  held  his  hand — following  him  a  little,  detaining 
him  a  little.     Then  said  : 

"Oh,  Charlie!"  [he  stopped  and  looked  at  her,] 
"  Janie  is  dead." 

"  Not  jour  racer,  Janie  ?  " 

"  Yes.  I  Tvant  to  bury  her,  but  cannot  get  out  of 
the  city  lines.  0  dear  !  I  loved  her.  She  saved 
my  life." 

"  Is  that  all !  I  will  give  you  a  pass  to  do  that. 
That  is  easily  done.     Come  into  the  library." 

In  a  few  moments  Leette  came  to  La  Scheme,  her 
eyes  flashing  with  the  fire  of  victory.  "  I  have  it! 
I  have  it  !  It  is  mine !  Hurrah  for  Leette  Le- 
donc  I  "  She  held  up  the  slip  of  paper  and  waved  it 
in  the  air.     He  took  it  from  her,  and  read  : 

"Miss  Leette  Ledonc  has  permission  to  take  the 
dead  body  of  her  horse  Janie  through  the  lines,  bury 
it  and  return. 

"  By  order  of  Major  General  Scienter. 

Chas.  IIardone,  Capt.  &  A.  A.G. 

"Quinine!  Quinine!!  Hurrah!"  and  without 
noise  she  gare  vent  to  expressions  of  jubilant  joy. 

"Janie  is  not  dead,  Leette.  And  if  she  were,  you 
could  take  out  no  quinine  with  her." 

"  I  shall  kill  her  and  fill  her  with  quinine.  She 
served  the  Confederacy  in  life,  she  shall  serve  it  in 
death,  and  be  buried  with  its  life  in  her  keeping. — 
Oh,  I  did  cheat  him.  I  made  believe  love,  and  took 
him  in.     Soft  fool !  devil!"    Here  she  trampled  with 


COTTON    STEALING.  351 

her  foot,  and  wiped  off  her  lips,  and  threw  back  her 
hand,  as  though  she  tore  off  the  kisses  he  had  placed 
there  and  trampled  on  them.  ^'  But  it  was  worth  it 
all.  Quinine,  quinine,  who  would  not  cheat  a  Yan- 
kee, even  at  the  expense  of  a  kiss,  for  the  life  of  our 
army  ?" 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

No  wounded  soldier,  without  strong  motives,  refuses 
a  leave  of  absence.  James  Manet,  just  escaped  from 
the  rebels,  the  blood  hoiiad.i,  the  fire,  was  none  too 
well,  especially  as  a  new  campaign  was  at  hand. — 
Whatever  other  inducements,  and  they  were  many,  he 
had,  to  visit  Memphis,  see  his  relative  and  hear  from 
home,  he  had  this  also,  to  aid  tlie  poor  widow,  v/ho  had 
been  goo  nd  true  in  his  extremity.  He  knew  of  the 
difficulties  connected  with  cotton,  merely  by  report, 
until  his  return  to  Helena,  where  he  was  foolish  enough 
to  imagine  that  the  story  of  the  widow's  destitution, 
her  guiltlessness  of  wrong  in  the  war,  the  starving 
condition  of  her  children,  and  her  kindness  to  himself 
under  such  circumstances,  would  be  sufficient  to  ob- 
tain speedy  relief  from  the  authorities,  especially  when 
corroborated  by  himself.  Little,  how  very  little,  did 
he  know  of  the  vampire  appetite  existing  among  those 
in  command,  for  hiood  money. 

The  rules  and  regulations  of   the  departments  were 


COTTON  STEALING.  353 

justly,  honorably,  wisely  strict.  Against  th^^  prudent 
foresi^'ht  of  General  Grant  and  General  Sherman  not 
one  ^vord  can  be  spoken.  I  remember  distinctly  when 
listening  to  a  barf^ain  which  involved  several  million 
dollars,  which  brouglit  fifty  thousand  dollars  worth  of 
goods,  salt,  flour,  whisky,  boots  and  shoes,  planta- 
tion supplies,  on  board  a  steamboat  for  a  cotton  trip 
up  a  celebrated  river.  That  those  men  who  had  permits 
and  papers  from  the  most  unexceptional  authority, 
united  in  declarinor  that  in  all  their  intercourse  with 
military  authorities,  whatever  they  may  have  paid 
other  officials,  these  Generals  were  above  suspicion. 
Honest  men  do  exist.  Noble,  glorious  examples  are 
found  amonfr  our  Generals.  That  which  deserves  con- 
demnation  is  the  exceptional  instance  like  General 
Solenter,  whose  turpitude  was  so  well  known  among 
the  clerks  and  subaltern  officers  of  his  department, 
that  they  felt  secure  in  all  minor  acts  of  black  mail 
^Yhich  they  practiced  upon  every  individual  who  was 
base  enough,  or  weak  enough,  or  too  much  pressed  by 
business  to  incur  the  delay  brought  about  by  them  ; 
when  under  the  plea  of  red  tape,  they  hindered,  block- 
ed, opposed  the  usual  course  of  business,  that  they 
might  be  paid  for  doing  their  duty. 

To  make  this  phase  of  the  cotton  business  stand 
out  in  its  clearest  light,  I  copy  the  trials  of  a  man  in 
a  large  Southern  city  where  an  honest  General  succeed- 
ed a  renowned  cotton  speculator,  whose  name  ought 
to  descend  to  posterity  blackened  by  the  pity  of  every 
just  lover  of  country.  Pity  for  the  weakness  which 
was  not  satisfied  with  the  honor  and  respect  of  a  land 
23 


?554  COTTON  STEALING. 

full  of  friends.  Sad  regret  that  such  a  man,  who  had 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his  native  State,  who  had 
filled  offices  of  the  highest  trust  in  the  gift  of  his  con- 
stituents, of  his  party  ;  whose  name  had  been  before 
his  admiring  countrymen  as  candidate  for  the  higliest 
office  in  the  gift  of  a  free,  honest,  honorable  people, 
should  have  fallen  before  a  pecuniary  temptation. — 
Alas  !  what  treasure  of  gold,  of  rubies  and  precious 
stones  can  compare  with  virtue  lost,  with  honor  sul- 
lied, with  reputation  tarnished  forever  !  There  is 
one  man  whose  name  is  justly  despised,  the  traitor  of 
the  first  Revolution,  Benedict  Arnold.  When  the  his- 
tory of  this  war  shall  be  justly  written,  the  General 
Solenters  of  the  army  who  have  uselessly  sacrificed  val- 
uable life  on  the  shrine  of  the  god  Cotton,  will  mark 
a  new  era  of  contempt,  and  be  held  up  to  the  detesta- 
tion of  all  the  good,  pure  and  patriotic  of  mankind. 

Before  this  memorandum  is  transcribed,  I  will  re- 
late an  incident  which  I  will  only  vouch  for  as  current 
in  private  conversation  in  New  Orleans. 

A  Texan  broad  brimmed  hat,  a  long  wide  cape,  rebel 
grey  overcoat,  with  a  large  bulky  planter's  form  with- 
in, applied  to  a  certain  Provost  Marshal  General  for 
a  pass  to  go  out  of  the  lines  and  purchase  cotton. — 
This  was  refused  as  contrary  to  orders.  The  appli- 
cant persisted,  finally  proposing  to  pay  for  the  pass 
in  gold  :  and  the  Provost  Marshal  accepted  the  offer, 
wrote  the  pass ;  whereon  Texas  produced  a  bag  of 
gold  telling  fifteen  hundred  dollars  in  coin  on  the  ta- 
ble, which  was  paid.  When  the  pass  was  folded  and 
put   away,  Texas  unfastening  his  outside  coat,  threw 


COTTON    STEALING.  355 

it  open  and  displayed  tlie  stars  and  buttons  of  a  Ma- 
jor General  in  the  United  States  Army.  The  Provost 
Marshal  saw  his  position  and  burst  in  tears.  Well 
might  he  weep,  for  the  Major  General  wrote  an  order 
from  the  President  of  the  United  States  arresting  the 
unworthy  officer,  and  put  him  in  custody  of  his  OAvn 
guard. 

This  was  done  in  the  Department  of  a  commanding 
General  who  was  beyond  the  shadow  of  suspicion,  a 
General  who  has  made  himself  hosts  of  enemies  by 
his  determined  hostility  to  every  phase  of  the  cotton 
trade.  The  prohibition  ought  to  have  been  perfect, 
final,  complete.  The  possibility  of  exception  opened 
the  door  of  temptation,  thereby  put  a  premium  on  ev- 
ery chance  of  the  trade.  Less  damage  perhaps  would 
have  resulted  had  the  door  been  thrown  wide  open, 
and  every  one  permitted  to  get  out  all  the  cotton  his 
individual  enterprise  could  reach. 

Again,  the  lack  of  judgment  exhibited  by  some  of 
these  officials  was  wonderful.  Whenever  any  steam- 
boat brought  cotton  within  the  army  lines,  cotton 
was  seized,  in  accordance  with  the  regulations,  which 
was  perfectly  proper  ;  but  not  this  alone,  the  boat 
which  brought  it  was  also  seized,  and  if  not  confis- 
cated put  to  an  aggregate  expense,  causing  thous- 
ands of  dollars  of  loss  to  the  owners.  Even  this 
might  have  been  endured  by  loyal  men,  had  there 
been  any  certainty  the  cotton  so  seized  would  be  sold 
and  its  proceeds  turned  over  to  the  Government. 
But  in  many  instances,  if  not  in  every  instance,  com- 
manding officers  or  quartermasters  found  ways  to  put 


356  COTTON  STEALING. 

the  proceeds  into  their  own  pockets,  until  steamboats 
passed  bj  hundreds  and  thousands  of  bales,  laying 
exposed  on  the  river  bank  and  afterwards  burnt  by 
guerillas,  which  might  have  assisted  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  the  war  and  diminish  the  taxes  which 
oppress  and  burden  the  land.  Had  the  plan  been 
adopted  of  paying  the  steamboat's  salvage,  or  even 
freight,  those  millions  of  pounds  would  have  been 
saved,  as  they  might  have  been  with  slight  exertion. 
To  the  truth  of  which  statement  I  call  steamboat 
men,  who  have  followed  the  river  during  the  war,  to 
witness. 

Often  the  Greneral  commanding  was  entirely  ignor- 
ant of  the  misdeeds  of  his  inferiors.  Then,  he  was 
not  responsible.  But  there  were  Generals,  like 
Solenter,  who  received  the  price  of  blood,  let  them, 
when  known,  bear  their  curse,  unmitigated  obloquy, 
the  detestation  of  every  honest  man  and  woman  in 
the  land. 

To  return  to  the  process  of  obtaining  a  permit  to 
get  cotton.  On  the  twenty-first  of  a  certain  Decem- 
ber a  man  obtained  permits  from  the  Purchasing 
Agent  of  the  United  States,  in  accordance  with  the 
orders  issued  by  the  President,  to  purchase  two  hun- 
dred bales  of  cotton.  An  honest  man,  who  was  de- 
termined not  to  pay  a  bribe.     This  is  his  record  : 

"  Hurried  to  Colonel  S 's  office.    Waited  most 

of  the  day  before  I  could  obtain  an  audience. 
Handed  in  my  permits,  and  received  instructions  to 
call  to-morrow. 

"Dec.  22d. — Called.     Was  told  I  must  name  ves- 


COTTON   STEALING.  357 

scl  and  crew,  and  give  bond  with  security.  Not 
time  to-day.     Call  to-morrow. 

"  Dec.  23d. — Filed  bond  and  named  vessel.  Was 
told  all  right.      Call  to-morrow. 

"  Dec.  24th.— Office  closed  until  the  2oth. 

"  Dec.  25th. — Permits  not  ready.  Had  to  be  re- 
corded in  adjoining  office.      Come  to-morrow. 

''  Dec.  26th. — Went  and  spent  all  day.     Succeeded 

in  getting  permits   signed.     Went  to  Gen.   C 's 

headquarters  ;  was  told  I  could  have  ray  papers  to- 
morrow. 

*'  Dec.  27th. — Papers  not  sent  in.  Come  to-mor- 
row. 

"Dec.   28th — Forenoon.— (7a?Z  in   the  afternoon. 

Afternoon  got  permits  and  hurried  to  Admiral  P 's 

office  ;  was  not  detained  five  or  ten  minutes.  Then 
went  to  Provost  Marshal's  office  to  get  passes  to  go 
through  the  lines  to  the  point  where  the  cotton  is. — 
Too  late  to  do  business  that  day.      Come  to-morrow. 

"  Dec.  29th.— Spent  the  day  to  get  Col.   R 's 

signature.       Pass  sent  to  Gen.  II by  Orderly  ; 

not  be  signed  until  to-morrow. 

"  Dec.  30th. — Was  told  permits  and  passes  had 
been  lost ;  persevered  and  Jiunted  them  up  ;  found 

them  too   late  to  be  signed  by  Gen.  II .       Come 

to-morrow. 

"  Dec.  31st. — New  order  issued  ;  pass  to  issue  from 

Col.  S and  be  endorsed  by  Gen.  II .     Went 

to  Col.  S 's  office  ;  waited  all  day  and  failed  to 

gain  audience. 

"  Jan.  1st. — Got  a  hearing  too  late  for  the  Gen- 
eral's signature.      Come  to-morrow. 


858  COTTON   STEALING. 

"Jan.  2nd. — Col.  S had  failed  to  send  pass  up 

to  head-quarters.      Come  to-morrow. 

"  Jan.  3rd. — Waited  nearly  all  day,  and  got  my 
pass." 

If  this  "was  the  process  in  later  time,  when  the 
President's  order  encouraged  honest  men  to  engage 
in  the  cotton  trade — when  military  detectives  were 
watching  officials,  fearing  they  should  be  detected — 
what  must  have  been  the  delay  and  detention  Avhen 
Generals  like  Solenter  saw  tens,  hundreds  and  thous- 
ands of  dollars  waiting  only  to  be  taken,  ready  to 
drop  in  showers,  so-ever  their  permits  were  granted  ? 

James  Manet  found  cotton  a  hard  road  to  travel ; 
because  he  was  unwilling  to  do  wrong.  As  this  is 
the  story,  we  turn  back  to  the  place  where  we  left 
Mr.  Wirtman  going  to  his  rooms  to  meet  a  soldier 
who  might  be  his  wife's  son  ;  for,  already,  he  had 
sent  a  letter,  soliciting  for  him  leave  of  absence  for 
a  few  days,  and  obtained  the  endorsement  of  General 
Solenter. 

The  rooms  of  Mr.  Wirtman  were  in  a  sequestered 
dwelling,  which  had  been  assigned  Mr.  Sandison, 
near  headquarters.  On  their  arrival  they  found 
James  in  the  parlors,  engaged  in  close  conversation 
with  Mr.  Sandison. 

Allie  Sandison  did  not  willingly  accompany  Mr. 
Wirtman.  Doubt  hung  over  every  step.  Should 
she  believe  Leette  ?  Which  of  all  her  representa- 
tions should  be  believed  ?  That  James  went  to,war 
because  he  was  disappointed  in  his  love  toward 
her  ?      That,   thus   disappointed,    he   had   forgotten 


COTTON  STEALING.  359 

patriotism  so  far  as  to  bo  a  traitor :  thus,  by  impli- 
cation, throwing  a  heavy  responsibility  on  herself? 
That  he  had  not  only  been  treacherous,  but  base  ? 
And  if  this  was  false,  if  James  was  all  his  mother 
believed ;  if  he  loved  truly,  and  she  more  than  half 
wished — that  is,  a  something  which  grew  warm  in  her 
heart  was  not  sorry  if  it  might  be  so ;  while  another 
self,  with  all  of  cultivated  affection,  regarded  every 
such  emotion  as  treason  to  him  who  held  her  promise; 
who,  holding  that  sacred  pledge,  w\as,  day  by  day, 
putting  aff*ection  to  a  test  which  dwarfed  and  more 
than  checked  its  growth ;  the  care  of  a  gardener, 
nourishing  a  rare  and  costly  plant  in  a  conservatory, 
forgetting  his  daily  attention — leaving  the  doors  and 
windows  open  for  the  chills  of  evening,  the  damps 
and  even  frosts  of  neglect, — like  this  of  to-night, 
leaving  her  alone :  forcing  such  a  meeting  as  was  to 
come  upon  her  unwilling.  And  then  that  other 
something,  the  other  somebody,  the  true  Allie  San- 
dison  springing  away  from  the  Lina  Sandison  of 
girlhood,  uneducated  by  war,  with  an  instinct  like  an 
orange-tree  blooming  in  its  own  dear  native  soil, 
drawing  bashful  from  fear  lest  Allie  Sandison  should 
be  recognized. 

James  Manet  met  them  unconscious  of  else  save 
joy  to  meet  them  alive,  unchanged,  save  as  the  mind 
and  heart  grow  strong  and  old,  as  thousands  of  our 
volunteers  have  become,  from  puny  minded  boys, 
brave  reliant  men  by  the  teachings  of  a  short  cam- 
paign. No  calumny  could  look  in  his  calm,  fearlessly 
honest   eye,  and  believe  him  untrue  ;  unconsciously, 


360  COTTON  STEALING. 

Allie  Sandison  became  all  Allie  leaning  on  his  words, 
drinking  tliem  without  asking  for  a  reason,  while  he 
simply,  briefly  told  the  saliant  points  of  his  exper- 
ience, dwelling  most  upon  what  concerned  others. 

At  length  Sandison  drew  the  attention  of  all  to  the 
topic  which  had  been  interrupted  when  they  came. 

"And  so  La  Scheme  is  a  traitor  as  well  as  rebel.  I 
am  sorry  for  it.  lie  was  my  friend,  room  mate  and 
classmate  in  College.  I  thought  well  of  him,  and  even 
now  I  can  hardly  believe  what  you  tell,  though  it 
must  be  true.  Why  !  I  have  been  engaged  with  him, 
and  never  have  seen  a  dishonest  act  yet." 

"His  plans  are  too  deep,  Mr.  Sandison.  His  fore- 
eight  is  remarkable,. more  wonderful  his  knowledge  of 
human  nature,  most  extraordinary  the  facility  with 
which  he  adapts  himself  to  every  one  he  meets.  I  have 
seen  him  win  slaves  for  the  study,  play  with  them  for 
amusement,  when  no  one  was  by  ;  I  unnoticed,wound- 
ed,  silent  and  a  prisoner.  He  was  a  politician  before 
the  war ;  while  we  soldiers  are  fighting  with  powder 
and  balls,  he  is  doing  more  fearful  destruction  with 
the  very  weapons  which  opened  the  conflict  termina- 
ting in  bloodshed.  He  trusts  in  politics.  I  have 
heard  him  condemn  Jeff.  Davis  for  neglecting  the  pol- 
itics of  the  North;  no\vhe  has  opened  the  cotton  trade 
on  his  own  plan,  and,  as  he  says,  transferred  the  seat 
of  war  to  the  North.  I  know  he  counts  on  your  aid 
and  assistance.  In  his  opinion  every  Northern  poli- 
tician has  his  price  ;  excuse  me  for  thus  saying,  but 
I  do  believe  he  thinks  he  can  buy  you.  " 

"  Yes,  James,  you  are  in  this,  if  not  right,  not  far 


COTTON  STEALING.  361 

from  right.  I  know  La  Scheme.  I  read  him.  He 
never  deceived  me.  I  have  made  use  of  him  when  he 
was  using  me.  Politicians  use  each  other,  the  wise 
man,  the  sharp  man  uses  his  adversary  against  his 
will  if  possible.  Now,  he  has  helped  me  in  the  cotton 
business,  I  have  aided  him ;  both  have  made  money. 
If  he  attempts  to  use  his  profits  to  the  injury  of  the 
nation,  I  believe  I  am  smart  enough  to  checkmate^im 
there." 

''Oh,  that  cotton  !"  exclaimed  James.  "I  wish 
there  was  no  cotton  and  there  had  never  been  any." 

"Not  that,  not  that.  We  must  have  gold  to 
prosecute  the  war, — gold  to  sustain  the  finances  of 
the  country.  While  I  am  getting  out  cotton,  I  am 
doing  the  nation  more  service  than  any  individual 
volunteer,  since  thereby  I  move  the  army  in  the  field, 
the  people  at  home,  and  the  nations  abroad,  who 
watch  the  variations  in  the  market  value  of  our  gold." 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Sandison,  more  than  either  gold  or 
cotton  is  common  honesty  demanded  among  those 
who  manage  the  finances  of  the  war.  If  cotton  is 
to  come  out  at  all,  let  every  one  have  an  equal  op- 
portunity. Bring  its  price  down ;  but  do  not  per- 
mit the  authorized  agents  of  the  Government  to  mon- 
opolize it  themselves,  at  the  expense  of  the  whole 
country.  The  widow  who  fed  me  cannot  get  her  few 
baf^s  of  cotton  away,  because  the  authorities  will 
give  10  permission ;  while  some  persons  obtain  per- 
mits every  day.  Oh !  I  wish  we  had  an  Andrew 
Jackson  or  a  Napoleon  at  the  head  of  affairs  :  some 
one  who  would  shoot  two  or  three  rascally  Quarter- 


362  COTTON  STEALING. 

masters, — hang  an  incompetent,  speculating  two-and- 
a-half  or  five  per  cent.  Surgeon  General, — or  gibhet  a 
Brigadier  or  Major  General,  who  sacrifices  the  men 
entrusted  to  his  care." 

"Have  a  care,  James,  what  you  wish.  Abraham 
Lincoln  has  not  power." 

"  Why  has  he  not  power?" 

^He  will  not  be  sustained." 

^True,  he  will  not  be  sustained  by  politicians, 
political  papers,  and  political  expediency  men." 

"Why  do  you  not  include  the  whole  country? 
Every  intelligent  man  at  the  North  is  a  politician." 

"  No,  not  a  politician,  but  a  voter.  I  will  wish 
that  the  people,  the  whole  people, — the  whole  army, 
— were  moral  enough — had  back-bone  enough,  to 
compel  officers  to  do  right." 

"  There  are  honest  men  in  the  community,  James," 
said  Mr.  Wirtman.  "You  must  have  had  a  sad  ex- 
perience thus  to  impugn  your  whole  country." 

"  I  have  had  a  sad  experience,  father.  I  never 
knew  what  human  nature  was  before  I  came  into  the 
war.  Certainly  it  was  never  so  developed  at  home. 
I  acknowledge  there  are  good  men  in  the  community. 
We  need  a  San  Fraucisco  Vigilance  Committee  to 
unite  honest  men  in  common  defence ;  and,  as  aven- 
gers, elect  an  honest  jury  to  bring  to  justice  the 
high  and  titled  rascals  who  rob  the  country,  and  go 
unpunished  through  the  elevation  of  their  position 
or  the  magnitude  of  their  villainy.  La  Scheme  is  a 
rebel,  yet  he  goes  through  the  lines  unmolested,  pro- 
tected he  says,  by  influences  which  hold  back  the  hand 


COTTON   STEALING.  363 

of  the  President.  Senators  are  his  partners.  Oh, 
don't  thej  have  pay  enough?  Better  pay  them  fifty 
thousand  dollars  per  year  if  money  alone  can  raise 
them  ahove  such  baseness.  I  wish  the  land  was  full 
of  honest  men." 

''You  speak  strongly." 

"  Why  should  I  not  ?  Brother  Henry  was  killed 
for  the  sake  of  La  Scheme's  cotton.  Our  picket  was 
attacked  for  the  sake  of  La  Scheme's  cotton  ;  some 
of  our  men  were  shot  and  two  murdered  before  my 
eyes,  on  the  same  account ;  five  others  went  to  prison, 
two  of  whom  starved  to  death ;  then  Leette's  planta- 
tion was  burned  and  old  Mammy  killed,  by  an  expe- 
dition after  cotton  ;  my  own  wounds  and  impris- 
onment all  came  from  it ;  and  it  does  seem  to  me  as  if 
no  new  operation  was  undertaken  until  the  last  base 
was  exhausted  of  that  detestable  cause  of  the  war." 

"Well,  James,"  said  Mr.  Sandison,  "I  have  been 
in  the  business,  but  I  never  engaged  in  cotton  to  ben- 
efit myself  at  the  expense  of  my  country.  As  long 
as  it  was  legitimate  I  had  no  hesitation  ;  but  the  mo- 
ment it  aids  and  comforts  the  enemy,  I  wash  my 
hands  of  it.  There  is  one  transaction  in  which  I 
shall  engage,  or  rather  which  I  will  take  ofi"  your 
hands,  the  widow's,  give  yourself  no  further  concern. 
I  will  see  it  safely  brought  into  the  lines  and  sold  for 
her  benefit.  Now  a  politician  is  not  necessarily  dis- 
honest and  a  traitor  ;  when  they  forget  and  become 
such,  they  deserve  punishment  and  contempt ;  but  in 
this  struggle  where  brain  meets  brain,  honest  men 
must  use  the  weapons  best  adapted  to  the  conflict.    If 


364  COTTON    STEALING. 

they  throw  shells,  I  reply  with  one  of  larger  calibre 
and  more  destructiveness  if  I  can.  I  know  La  Scheme. 
He  is  a  party  man,  my  enemy.  Soon  his  scene  of 
action  will  be  transferred  to  our  elections  at  home. — 
There  I  will  meet  and  expect  to  defeat  him  as  you 
will  meet  and  conquer  his  powder  and  shot  in  fair 
fight.  I  believe  I  put  a  just  estimate  on  his  honor, 
on  the  permanence  of  his  principles,  and  I  would  trust 
"him  so  far,  and  only  so  far,  as  our  interests  were  iden- 
tical." 

Thus  ended  the  conversation  of  the  evening. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

At  the  table  the  next  morning,  James  was  asked, 
"What  do  you  think  of  Miss  Ledonc  ?" 

The  question  came  from  Mr.  Wirtman.  Allie  lis- 
tened eagerly.     This  was  the  answer : 

"  She  is  a  deceitful,  dangerous  woman,  I  know  not 
how  to  describe.  I  have  occasion  to  remember  her 
kindness  most  thankfully.  At  one  time,  no  sacrifice 
could  have  been  asked  for  her  sake,  which  I  would 
not  have  granted.  She  can  be  an  angel — can  change 
to  a  demon.  If  she  is  simply  a  creature  of  impulse, 
I  can  pardon  and  forgive ;  but  if,  as  I  fear,  she  is  a 
persistent  wrong-doer,  wearing  a  mask  intended  only 
to  aid  her  designs,  Leette  is  unworthy  a  place  among 
honorable  people.  I  think  she  cannot  be  trusted,  if 
for  no  other  reason,  because  she  is  intimate  with  La 
Scheme,  and — but  she  saved  my  life  ;  I  will  not  even 
injure  by  telling  what  I  think." 

"  Intimate  with  La  Scheme  !  What  do  you  mean? 
Neither  have  attractions  for  the  other :  they  are 
rather  at  sword's  points,  which  is  more  a  cause  of 
wonder,  as  both  claim  to  be  Union." 


366  COTTON  STEALING. 

''  I  told  you  what  I  thouglit  of  La  Scheme's  Union- 
ism. I  have  seen  both  away  from  Memphis.  Sol- 
diers know  what  value  to  put  on  professions  made 
within  the  lines.  Go  with  us  on  a  march,  and  you 
would  trust  every  Southerner  so  far  only  as  his  in- 
terest is  dependent  on  your  own  safety." 

"  Then  Leette  is  a  rebel,  James." 

"  Not  a  doubt  of  it.  I  know  she  is,  unless  she 
has  been  converted,  very  lately,  and  Leette  is  not 
easily  changed.  One  of  the  last  things  between 
us  touched  this  very  point.  My  parole  was  indi- 
rectly given  to  her  ;  when  I  withdrew  it  distinctly, 
she  gave  me  up  to  the  guerillas,  and  I  made  my 
escape,  though  they  attempted  to  burn  me  to  death." 

*'  Burn  you  to  death  !  Then  you  did  not  give  her 
your  love.     I  knew  it  was  false  !" 

"  My  love,  did  Leette  say  so  ?  What  could  be 
her  object  ?" 

"  Can  she  be  a  woman  !  Impossible  !  No  woman 
would  try  to  make  a  man's  reputation  villainous  at 
the  expense  of  her  own  !" 

''  Alhe,  what  does  this  mean  ?  I  do  not  under- 
stand." 

Allie,  laboring  under  strongly  excited  feehngs, 
did  not  reply,  and  James  continued  : 

"Can  she  be  mad  ?  Her  last  interview  was  more 
of  madness  than  sanity.  She  offered  me  her  love, 
but  at  the  sacrifice  of  my  country  ;  then,  when  re- 
fused, she  threatened  me  with  vengeance." 

Allie  exclaimed  : 

"Is  it  possible  !      Can  this  be  her   vengeance  ? 


COTTON   STEALING.  367 

What  for  ?  It  must  be  so.  I  understand  her  con- 
tradictory action ;  she  was  the  lover — she  is  the  re- 
jected— she  is  the  villain.  This  is  her  revenge.  Her 
object  must  be  to  injure  you  and  wound  your  motlier 
through  me.  What  a  vindictive  schemer  !  Can  this 
be  all  ?  She  may  not  love,  and  this  may  be  the  plot 
of  an  angry  rebel.  I  doubt  if  she  has  any  heart  at 
all.  I  never  could  overcome  my  dislike,  and  I  am 
glad  of  it.     What  a  miserable  she  is  !" 

An  interruption  came  at  this  moment,  from  Adjt. 
Hardone,  late  to  breakfast,  and  in  ill-humor  from  a 
headache,  occasioned  by  too  much  Bourbon  ;  one  of 
the  instances  of  which  the  army  commissariat  has  a 
few,  where  officers  never  in  their  lives  drank  so  much 
whisky,  because  bought  at  government  rcwes,  whole- 
sale price,  and  guzzled  by  the  gallon.  He  remem- 
bered his  conversation  with  Leette,  and  seeing  James 
he  addressed  AUie  angrily,  asking  : 

*'  Why  did  you  not  wait  for  me  last  night?" 

She  answered,  "  Why  should  I  wait  when  you  left 
me  without  explanation  ?  Can  I  follow  wherever 
you  go  ;  or,  can  I  even  stay  when  without  protec- 
tion, I  am  subject  to  unnecessary  insult  ?" 

"Insult  !"  repeated  Charlie,  "no  one  dare  insult 
my  intended," — laying  stress  on  the  my,  to  inform 
James  of  their  relationship.  The  same  word  en- 
forced by  a  threatening  glance,  then,  as  both  word 
and  glance  were  lost  on  James,  he  continued  :  "  You 
had  no  wish  to  wait  for  me,  while  greater  attractions 
were  in  store.  I  was  not  surprised  to  find  that  you 
left  me  for  such  company,  after  what  Miss  Ledonc 
told  me." 


368  COTTOX   STEALING. 

^' Miss  Ledonc  !"  said  Allie.  "Ah!  you  will  ob- 
lige me,  Charlie,  by  never  quoting  her  authority 
again.  Your  present  anger  is  excusable.  She  has 
been  slandering  me  to  you,  as  she  slandered  James  to 
me.  She  insulted  me,  leaving  me  no  choice  but  to 
come  away  with  Mr.  Wirtman.  I  am  glad  I  came, 
since  she  is  now  unmasked." 

Again  the  last  word  was  the  text. 

"  Unmasked  !  What  is  there  to  unmask  ?  Leette 
is  a  good  Union  woman." 

James  laughed.  "  Leette  is  the  best  rebel  I  ever 
gaw, — tried  to  make  me  desert,  and  even  persuaded 
her  lover,  La  Scheme,  to  oflfer  me  a  commission  in 
the  rebel  army." 

"No  n§  !  no  I"  exclaimed  every  one  simultaneous- 
ly. Allie  added,  "  The  wretch  !" 

"Certainly  she  did.  She  never  pretended  to  be  any- 
thing but  a  rebel,  and  was  true  to  her  principles.  As 
a  rebel  and  belligerent,  I  respect  her  for  doing  all  in 
her  power  for  her  cause.  I  never  believed  it  possible 
for  her  to  be  else  than  a  rebel.  A  Union  woman  in 
Union  lines  indicates  a  capacity  for  deceit  I  had  not 
believed  possible." 

"  You  have  not  fallen  in  love  with  her  ?  She  told 
me  so,"  said  Mr.  Wirtman. 

"I  did  love  her  for  her  kindness.  I  do  love  her 
for  saving  my  life.  I  shall  never  cease  to  regard  my- 
self as  owing  courtesy  and  good  will,  but  nothing 
more.  She  put  the  dogs  and  guerillas  on  me  ;  even 
if  she  did  not  really  love  me,  I  never  could  marry 
the  enemy  of  my  country." 


COTTON  STEALING.  oG9 

Then  Charlie  received  an  impression.  Leette  toM 
truth  that  James  loved  AUie,  loved  her  beyond  his 
own  just  right ;  else,  why  had  not  the  superb  beauty 
dazzled  James'  fancy  and  thrilled  his  imagination? 
Ciiarlie  did  not  know  Leette  as  a  poorly  clad  rebel, 
with  nothing  but  form,  face,  and  hands  to  recommend 
her  to  notice  and  love.  The  trappings  of  wealth  re- 
mained in  Memphis  and  their  fascination.  The  halo 
of  large  plantations  and  cotton  bales,  was  «jfeality  to 
the  poor  Union  prisoner  who  saw  them  burning,  knew 
them  confiscated  ;  who  saw  how  helpless  each  South- 
ern lord  and  lady  became  when  her  slaves  were  gone; 
who  saw  those  slaves  going  whenever,  wherever  the 
God-sent  Yankee  army  opened  a  passage  through  the 
Red  sea  of  slavery  to  the  Canaan  of  freedom. 

Allie  Sandison,  too,  received  an  impression.  James 
was  honest,  true,  and  unchanged,  and,  as  contrasted 
with*  Charlie,  so  much  better,  that  she  honored  the 
corporal  more  than  the  Adjutant  General. 

General  Solenter,  very  much  at  home,  came  in,  to 
see  his  friends,  pass  away  the  time,  hear  and  tell  the 
news.  Observe  the  peculiarity  of  this  meeting  of 
Major  General,  Adjutant  General,  Banker,  Banker's 
daughter.  Cashier  and  Corporal.  Before  the  war 
their  caste  ranged,  Chairman  of  county  political  com- 
mittee, village  lawyer,  two  clerks,  an  old  man  without 
particular  emploA^ment,  and  a  girl.  The  lawyer  was 
nobody,  neither  the  clerks,  nor  old  Mr.  Wirtman  ; — 
Mr.  Sandison,  the  politician,  was  everything,  and  the 
girl  his  daughter.  When  the  "war  is  over,  the  great 
vortex  of  e  iuality  will  swallow  up  and  forget  the  tem- 
24 


370  COTTON  STEALING. 

porarj  distinction,  save  as  bravery,  honor,  ability  and 
nobleness  of  character  have  convinced  the  common 
people  of  eminent  qualities  worthy  of  lasting  remem- 
brance. Even  now,  the  General  and  the  corporal 
met  and  shook  hands  in  the  present, — with  the  past 
buried, — as  cordially,  as  equally  as  if  both  were  not 
decorated  with  either  two  bars  or  two  stars.  After 
the  first  greetings,  the  General  said, — 

^'  The  commander  of  the  outside  pickets  has  report- 
ed a  curious  case  of  smuggling  through  the  lines.  Ear- 
ly this  morning  a  female,  with  the  dead  body  of  a 
horse  on  a  dray,  passed  the  guard,  going  to  bury  it 
outside.  Their  papers  were  right,  and  no  more  was 
thought  of  it,  except  the  length  of  time  they  were 
gone.  New  orders  have  been  issued  making  unusual 
watchfulness  necessary  on  the  part  of  the  guard,  and 
when  the  female  did  not  return,  suspicions  were  ex- 
cited, and  the  drayman  arrested.  He  pointed  out  the 
place  where  the  body  was  left,  but  it  was  not  there. — 
Immediately  a  detail  proceeded  to  scour  the  country ; 
and  what  do  you  think  they  found  ?" 

"What  could  they  find?" 

"Yes,  Miss  Sandison,  what  could  they  find?  You 
cannot  guess." 

"  Was  the  woman  a  spy  ?" 

"More  than  that,  a  smuggler;  for  at  length  the 
horse  w^as  found.  Its  entrails  had  been  removed  and 
the  vaccuum  filled  with  quinine.'' 

"  Is  it  possible  !  How  could  you  tell  ?  " 

"  By  the  broken  bottles.  That  one  speculation 
must  have    been  worth    twenty  thousand   dollars    at 


COTTON  STEALING.  371 

least,  and  be  of  incalculable  value  to  the  rebel  army." 
*'AVho  could  have  done  it  ?   It  seems  too  much  for  a 
woman  to  attempt.'" 

*'  I  know  of  one  woman  capable  of   doing  this,  for 
she  has  done  it  before." 

"  You  mean  Leette,  James." 

"  Yes.  Leette  Ledonc  possesses  the  spirit  capable 
of  such  an  action,  and  the  nerve  to  carry  it  through 
successfully.  But  she  did  not  do  it  alone.  She  had^ 
some  man  to  help,  I  feel  sure  I  know  him  ;  the  same 
who  planned  the  surprise  of  our  picket  at  Helena,  La 
Scheme  :  a  man  who  deserves  his  name,  whose  great 
skill  consists  in  concealing  his  own  instrumentality. 
Leette  is  a  spy,  and  La  Scheme  is  her  director.  She 
has  taken  her  quinine  and  gone  to  inform  the  rebels 
of  the  progress  and  starting  of  the  expedition  for 
Vicksburf]^." 

"  We  shall  see  before  long,"  said  the  General.  "A 
detachment  has  been  sent  after  her." 

"  No  cavalry  can  overtake  Leette  when  mounted 
on  her  Kentucky  racer,  Janie." 

"Janie  is  dead."  Charlie  Hardone  exposed  him- 
self. Guilty  of  violating  orders,  the  turn  given  to  the 
conversation  surprised  him  into  a  confession  which 
unraveled  the  whole  mystery. 

"Janie  is  not  dead,"  said  James.  "I  saw  Leette 
myself,  from  a  crack  in  the  log  shanty,  seated  on  Ja- 
nie, who  looked  as  handsome  and  showed  as  keen  an 
eye  as  ever." 

"  Miss  Ledonc  told  me  herself." 
"  And  asked  you  for  a  pass  to  bury  the  mare  ?  and 
you  gave  it?"  asked  the  General. 


372  COTTON   STEALING. 

"  That  was  what  she  was  doing  when  trying  to  in- 
jure James  whom  she  had  sought  to  murder.  I  think 
you  have  cause  for  anger.  She  was  too  smart  for 
you.  I  would  be  ashamed,  Charles  Hardone,  to  be  de- 
ceived by  a  rebel  woman." 

"Adjutant,"  said  the  General,  "you  have  made  a 
great  mistake.  The  very  thing  of  all  others  to  be 
avoided  has  been  accomplished  by  you,"  and  then  he 
swore  and  cursed  the  Adjutant  General ;  and  the  Ad- 
jutant opened  his  mouth  and  replied,  exposing  to 
Allie  an  acquaintance  with  such  words  which  she  had 
never  imagined.  This  did  not  continue.  It  was  a 
burst,  a  thunder  clap,  after  which  the  storm  held  up  ; 
General  Scienter  going  away,  Charlie  following, 
James  already  gone,  Wirtman  and  Sandison  leaving 
also,  and  Allie  was  alone. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

When  the  Adjt.  General  left  the  house  (evil  favors 
its  own)  he  met  La  Scheme,  and  told  him  what  had 
happened — charged  him  with  being  in  communication 
with  the  enemy,  and  accused  him  of  conspiracy.  La 
Scheme,  on  his  part,  listened  quietly,  assuming  the 
manner  of  innocence — restraining  words  :  only  de- 
ploring the  sad  transaction,  and  pronouncing  the 
whole  a  mistake  which  could  easily  be  explained. 
He  declared  Leette  had  not  gone  away,  but  was  still 
in  the  city,  and  should  be  forthcoming. 

Immediately  he  took  measures  to  find  and  bring 
Leette  back,  for  she  had  remained  to  receive  impor- 
tant documents,  which  he  was  to  transmit  before  she 
went  below.  Moreover,  by  the  same  fortune,  which 
has  been  alluded  to,  Leette  was  unwilling  to  leave 
Memphis  while  hate  was  unrevenged  on  AUie, 
Charlie,   and   James. 

It  may  seem  strange  and  inconsistant  for  Leette 
to  remain  outside  the  picket  lines,  hoping  to  receive 
dispatches,  when  no  person  could  pass  without  the 
signature  of  the  General  commanding.      This,  how- 


374  COTTON  STEALING. 

ever,  was  ver  j  easy,  as  has  been  already  alluded  to ; 
and,  in  this  particular  instance,  a  large,  sensible  dog 
had  been  trained  to  pass  between  two  houses  when- 
ever sent.  He  conveyed  the  command  to  come  back 
in  disguise,  in  place  of  the  expected  papers  which 
she  was  to  forward  to  the  enemy. 

When  La  Scheme  met  Leette,  and  told  her  the 
situation,  he  said: 

"Leette,  you  must^arry  the  Adjutant  General." 

She  exclaimed  :  "  I  will  die  first." 

He  replied:  "You  deceived  me,  Leette  ;  attempted 
to  act  alone,  and  failed.  The  consequences  may  be 
fatal,  and  certainly  will  be,  unless  you  rely  implicitly 
on  me.  I  am  unlike  other  men,  as  you  are  unlike 
other  women.  I  have  thrown  myself  heart  and  soul 
in  this  war,  because  the  war  exists ;  if  we  were  at 
peace,  I  should  fight  just  as  hard  for  my  politics  to 
conquer.  Most  persons  long  for  a  home,  for  rest ;  a 
place  where  they  can  be  at  ease  amid  the  pleasures 
of  love  and  family.  I  want  none  of  them.  The 
times  do  not  admit  of  peace.  Children  do  not  appre- 
ciate the  kindest  care,  the  greatest  love.  I  find 
every  father  a  miniature  King^^Lear,  taught  to  know — 

"  How  sharper  than  a  serpent's  tooth  it  is 
To  have  a  thankless  cljilcl — " 

My  existence  finds  its  intense  happiness  in  the  con- 
flicts of  political  life.  I  study  the  human  mind  and 
make  it  my  slave.  I  form  plans  based  on  the  univer- 
sal principles  of  human  nature  ;  then  lead  the  men  at 
my  disposal  to  do  my  will.     Leette,    do  my  biddino' 


COTTON    STEALING.  375 

and  all  is  well.  Let  me,  as  a  friend  who  knows  jou 
and  loves  you — this  is  no  idle  word,  Leette — impress 
upon  your  mind  the  danger  of  your  present  position  ; 
charged  with  being  a  spy,  in  danger  of  death — whicli 
you  do  not  fear,  or  of  long  and  solitary  imprison- 
ment, which  is  unpleasant,  but  worst  to  be  check- 
mated. 

"  Leette,  you  are  superior  to  common  womankind. 
I  frankly  acknowledge  how  far  you  have  exceeded 
my  expectations — expectations  originally  large.  I 
knew,  but  did  not  dream,  of  the  capacity  within.  To 
develope  all  that  wondrous  power,  to  teach  you  how 
great  you  were,  it  became  necessary  to  trample  on 
the  heart — the  love  w^iich  woman,  mere  womankind 
regard  their  destiny.  The  spirit  worhf  knows  no 
distinction  of  sex.  I  did  love  you,  I  do  love  you, 
and  you  know  it ;  you  have  felt  its  strength.  No 
unkind  act  can  drive  me  from  promoting  your  well- 
being. 

"  Now  let  me  ask — I  do  not  require  any  answer, 
answer  yourself  frankly,  and  remember  no  feeble 
specimen  of  womanhood  is  being  interrogated — has 
not  your  heart  a  capacity  to  love  more  than  one  man  ? 
Have  you  not  a  power,  a  capacity,  to  give  from  the 
immensity  of  your  nature  a  love,  differing  in  kind, 
in  quality,  differing  in  degree  ;  a  passion,  large  and 
complete,  to  different  objects,  different  men  ?  Is  not 
that  love,  in  every  distinct  manifestation,  greater  by 
a  two  fold  power  than  your  sex  commonly  call  a  first, 
only  true  love  ? 

"  To-day  you  love  me,   Leette,  and  I  love  you. — 


376  COTTON  STEALING. 

Closely  examine  that  affection,  appreciate  it,  then 
let  it  exist.  Mine  will  continue,  whatever  disposi- 
tion you  choose  to  make  of  the  gift. 

"  Do  not  wax  angry  with  me,  if  I  tell  you  a  truth 
which  you  wish  had  no  existence.  Leette,  you  love 
that  Corporal.  I  do  not  blame,  I  honor  you,  since 
your  noble  soul  appreciated  qualities  which  no  true 
woman  knowing,  could  fail  to  love.  This  is  a  law  of 
mind.  Your  great  mind,  Leette,  obeyed.  The 
affection  felt  toward  me,  cherished  toward  him,  are 
not  identical ;  both  can,  both  do,  exist.  In  such  a 
heart  as  yours,  Leette,  as  mine  ;  there  is  room  for 
many  others.  I  assure  you,  that  upon  examination, 
you  will  find  another  affection — a  certain  love  for  this 
Adjutant  General.  But  more  of  this  hereafter.  I 
am  not  blind.  I  can  tell  you  of  another ;  perhaps, 
if  I  had  time,  if  I  knew  your  whole  history,  could 
point  dozens — your  own  memory  can  recall  the  ex- 
perience. But  one  more  is  enough  for  our  present 
purpose.  Lee'cte,  you  love  our  efficient  assistant, 
the  guerilla  chief — playmate  of  your  girlhood.  He 
is  content  and  satisfied  with  tlie  share  you  concede 
to  him ;  for  your  heart  is  large  enough  for  us  all, 
can  give  in  a  day  more  than  a  Yankee  wife  in  a 
lifetime.  Why  then  be  jealous  of  other  hearts  equally 
large  with  your  own  ? 

"Now  let  me  explain  to  you  our  present  position. 
My  life,  yours,  hang  upon  the  same  thread  :  the 
stroke  which  kills  me,  destroys  the  work  in  which  I 
am  engaged,  to  which  you  are  bound.  This  present 
crisis,  improved,  will  make  us  successful ;  neglected, 


COTTON   STEALING.  377 

will  cost  US  all  we  have  already  done,  and  probably 
destroy  us  together.  There  remains  one  course  alone, 
by  which  our  mutual  safety  is  secured  and  our  cause, 
the  cause  of  our  country,  is  saved ;  by  which  all 
the  proceeds  of  the  cotton  already  sold,  the  sums 
which  will  come  from  that  hereafter  obtained  by  my 
organization,  shall  be  judiciously  used  to  foment 
trouble  in  the  ranks  of  the  people  at  the  North. — 
That  only  course  is  for  you  to  marry  the  Adjutant 
General. 

"  This  seems  impossible.  I  can  accomplish  it  all : 
and  Leette,  by  the  power  you  have  given,  by  the  sol- 
emn oath  you  freely  have  taken,  I  command  you  to 
obey.  Whatever  of  power  these  may  have  upon 
your  mind,  weigh  carefully  before  you  refuse.  But 
Leette,  I  do  not  only  command,  I  as  a  man  to  a  wo- 
man, soul  to  soul,  for  the  sake  of  yourself,  for  the 
sake  of  one  whom  you  have  loved,  I  entreat  you  to 
do  right;  more  than  this,  above  this,  higher  than 
this,  by  your  love  of  country,  standing  where  I  see 
more  and  beyond  your  farthest  gaze,  I  assure  you 
there  is  only  one  safe  path  to  tread,  and  that  is  this 
which  I  now  point  out." 

Leette  at  first  treated  La  Scheme  with  small  civil- 
ity. She  was  a  prisoner,  his  captive,  held  in  iron 
chains  by  her  oath,  a  bondage  she  hated,  but  could 
not  escape ;  voluntarily  assumed  it  would  last  forever. 
She  gradually  became  interested,  did  not  interrupt ; 
for  when  his  eye,  his  voice  poured  forth  its  impetuous 
torrent,  it  carried  her  mind  along,  as  the  breaking  up 
of  Spring  p. its  barns,  houses,  and  farm  yards  upon 


378  COTTON  STEALING. 

the  foaming  tide  hastening  towards  the  sea.  Thus 
had  it  bean  when  he  wooed,  and  he  was  again  a  lover, 
a  magnetizer,  exercising  his  old  power,  returning 
like  a  flood,  until  she  yielded.  La  Scheme  took  con- 
sent as  his  without  the  tongue  signature.  Her  eye 
and  heart  bad  responded.  They  left  the  place  of 
meeting  together  to  return  to  the  mansion  which  had 
been  her  home.  Innocence  fears  no  scrutiny.  That 
house  was  under  military  surveillance ;  to  go  there 
would  be  full  proof  of  the  falseness  of  the  charge 
against  her.  While  thus  going,  Leette  was  recognized 
by  AUie  Sandison,  also  passing  through  the  street,  in 
company  of  the  Adjutant  General  and  the    corporal. 

If  Miss  Ledonc  ever  could  dress  so  shabbily,  I 
should  call  that  woman  with  Mr.  La  Scheme  Leette." 

"It  is  Leette,"  said  James,  "  I  have  seen  her  so 
clad  often." 

"  Arrest  her  at  once  and  take  her  to  head-quar- 
ters," said  Charlie. 

"  I  am  not  a  Provost  Guard." 

*'  That  need  make  no  difference.  It  will  excite  less 
attention  and  be  better  for  her.  I  will  prove  to  Gen- 
eral Solenter  I  am  innocent  of  any  intentional  viola- 
tion of  orders.  He  was  too  hard  on  me  this  morning. 
You  will  show  your  consideration,  and  certainly  you 
are  under  some  obligation  to  her." 

Immediately,  James  obeyed,  followed  Leette  and 
her  companion,  while  Hardone  hastened  to  his  office 
to  anticipate  their  arrival,  and  inform  the  General  of 
what  he  had  done. 

La  Scheme  heard  fast  steps  approaching  ;  then  the 


COTTON  STEALING.  379 

word  "  Halt !  "  Turning,  he  looked  the  Corporal  in 
the  face,  who  said  to  him, — 

"  Sir,  I  am  ordered  to  arrest  your  companion  and 
accompany  her  to  headquarters.  I  wish  to  spare  her 
feelings  in  every  possible  way.  Be  so  kind  as  to  face 
about  and  precede  me.  In  this  way  no  one  need  be 
aware  of  her  arrest." 

Leette  moved  to  resist.  La  Scheme  in  a  low  tone 
spoke  the  words,  "  I  told  you  ;  trust  me  and  obey." 
They  did  as  ordered.  No  one  on  the  crowded  street 
thought  the  Union  soldier  in  blue,  on  duty.  Acquaint- 
ances met  La  Scheme,  the  cotton  speculator,  in  com- 
pany of  a  woman,  nodded  and  were  recognized;  taking 
no  notice,  not  thinking  his  companion  a  spy,  not  im- 
agining the  tremendous  pendulum  of  anxiety  beating 
in  his  or  her  heart.  Anxiety  hangs  over  an  abyss 
waiting  to  drop  off.  Some  believe  themselves  fallin"" 
though  they  have  their  arms  wound  round  a  certain 
probability  of  success  ;  others,  believe  they  will  suc- 
ceed, when  their  finger  nails  are  dug  into  the  outer- 
most bark  of  the  straw  failure.  This  was  La  Scheme ; 
never  hurried,  never  excited,  equal  to  every  emergen- 
cy, powerful  in  self-reliance.  Though  both  were  sur- 
prised, were  ignorant  of  the  absolute  charge  brought 
against  Leette,  were  most  eager  to  obtain  some  clew 
of  the  extent  of  the  conflict  to  be  met  in  the  future, 
neither  spoke  a  word  nor  asked  a  question.  On  the 
part  of  the  corporal  no  word  was  uttered  except  the 
direction  "  File  right,"  "File  left,"  as  they  turned 
different  street  corners.  At  the  entrance  to  head- 
quarters, when  challenged  by  the  guard,  the  corporal 


880  COTTON  STEALING. 

went  forward  and  said  to  the  soldier  on  duty,  "  Pris- 
oners by  special  order.  Call  the  orderly,"  whereon 
they  were  passed  into  the  gate,  meeting  the  orderly  in 
the  hall.  A  moment's  conversation  between  them, 
then  a  soldier  off  duty  was  called  to  stand  guard  over 
the  prisoners,  for  so  James  represented  both  until  he 
reported  to  the  Adjutant  General  in  person. 

Headquarters  were  situated  in  one  of  the  largest, 
finest  private  mansions  in  the  city ;  a  noble  sample  of 
luxury,  adorned  by  a  lofty  colonade  in  front,  reached 
by  a  flight  of  marble  steps ;  steps,  which  in  peaceful 
times  had  cooled  the  bare  feet  of  the  African  ;  from 
which  the  little  lords  and  ladies, — masters  of  the  sun- 
ny South, — had  looked  with  satisfied  scorn  upon  pass- 
ing poor  trash  plodding  on  foot,  and  with  satisfied 
pride  upon  the  prancing  horses  of  aristocrats  like 
themselves  enjoying  the  air,  which  their  magnolias, 
jessamines  and  crape  myrtle,  their  marble  platform, 
their  mosaic  paved  hall  made  cool  and  delicious. — 
Those  large  parlors  and  reception  rooms  were  now  oc- 
cupied by  war  desks  and  war  papers.  The  velvet 
carpets  had  been  removed,  to  be  out  of  the  way  of 
muddy  army  boots  and  sharp  steel  spurs.  Still, 
there  were  remnants  of  splendor  on  the  walls ; 
pictures  which  had  made  bright  eyes  grow  brighter, 
none  the  less  appreciated  by  the  earnest  art  loving 
soldier  of  the  Union ;  mirrors,  that  the  young  officers 
on  detached  service  consulted  ;  where  the  bearer  of 
despatches  discovered  the  effects  of  his  haste,  causing 
Lim  to  make  his  stay  in  the  saloon  as  short  as  possible. 

Every  one  was  busy.     Officers   coming  and  going. 


COTTON    STEALING.  381 

Reports  received, — orders  sent.  The  head  work,  the 
heart  pulse  of  a  great  army  was  beating  here,  almost 
noiselessly.  Each  private  or  officer  had  work  to  do 
which  must  be,  which  was  done  ;  and  the  two  persons 
waiting  the  General's  convenience  in  the  hall,  excited 
no  remark,  drew  no  peculiar  attention;  hundreds, 
thousands  had  so  waited  before  ;  some  to  return  to 
liberty,  some  to  be  sent  to  prison,  some  to  death  ;  some 
lost,  some  recovered  property  ;  to  the  hard  working 
men  who  represented  the  nation,  all  was  in  the  line 
of  business,  of  duty ;  performed  in  accordance  with 
the  laws  of  war,  after  a  decision  arrived  at  upon  the 
facts  before  the  Court ;  each  act  driving  some  other 
out   of    siorht   into  fori^etfulness.     And  some  thinors 

O  o  O 

were  done,  as  was  this,  now  before  the  General  Com- 
manding. 

The  Corporal  came  from  the  General's  office,  say- 
ing, "You  will  come  in."  Following,  they  passed  an 
orderly  with  a  sword,  entered  a  large  parlor  where 
were  desks,  officers  and  persons  in  waiting,  and  con- 
tinuing, reached  a  boudoir,  where  General  Solenter 
sat  alone. 

"This  is  a  bad  business.  Miss  Ledonc." 

Her  disguise  was  no  more  than  the  primitive  style 
of  dress  in  which  Leette  was  first  introduced  at  Hele- 
na. The  General  saw  her  shape  more  as  nature  de- 
signed, though  fashion  did  not  imprison  feet  in  steel, 
like  the  dungeon  keep  of  an  old  castle,  whose  naked 
top  was  barred  to  the  noon  day  sun  and  the  twinkUng 
sharp-eyed  stars.     Leette  asked, — 

"  What  is  the  charge  against  me?" 


382  COTTON  STEALING. 

"  A  spy,  and  furnishing  rebels  with  contraband  of 
war." 

"'Tis  false!  Where  is  my  accuser?  I  demand 
the  proof." 

"  One  accuser  stands  by  your  side.  The  Adjutant 
General  is  another.  You  have  taken  quinine  outside 
of  the  lines,  and  were  taking  news  to  the  enemy." 

"  My  presence  here  refutes  the  last  charge.  The 
other  is  false  as  hell.  I  am  a  Union  woman.  "What 
could  I  do  to  aid  them  ?  I  defy  my  enemies  to  the 
proof." 

Said  La  Scheme,  "  The  Adjutant  General  informed 
me  of  these  charges.  I  knew  them  false,  and  imme- 
diately sought  Leette.  This  corporal  had  won  some- 
thing of  love  which  her  kindness  in  saving  his  life, 
ought  to  have  made  respect,  if  nothing  more.  She, 
like  a  true  woman,  could  not  endure  his  presence  in 
the  society  of  a  preferred  rival,  and  weak  as  woman 
is,  had  put  on  sackcloth,  hiding  away  from  the  possi- 
bility of  meeting  him.  I  found  her,  and  was  bringing 
her  to  meet  you,  to  explain  these  appearances,  when 
his  mean  soul  must  needs  add  insult  to  ingratitude, 
and  drag  her,  thus  shabbily  clad,  into  your  presence. 
I  know  but  little  of  Miss  Leette.  Your  knowledge 
goes  as  far  as  mine.  Does  it  not  entitle  her  to  respect 
and  consideration  as  a  woman?" 

"  It  certainly  does." 

"  Then,  why  keep  her  under  arrest  ?  Let  her  go 
upon  her  parole.  I  will  be  responsible  for  her  appear- 
ance when  and  where  you  order." 

^'No.  The  charge  is  too  serious,  at  this  time,  too. 
She  must  remain  in  custody." 


COTTON    STEALING.  383 

"General,"  said  Lectte,  "I  do  not  wish  to  be  re- 
lieved of  guard  so  long  as  I  am  under  suspicion. — 
Watch  me.  Let  mj  accuser  be  my  guard.  I  am  in- 
nocent, I  fear  no  investigation.  James  knows  me  and 
I  dare  trust  in  him  though  he  has  proved  unkind.  Oh, 
James,  how  could  you  !" 

"  This  is  all  foolishness,  General.  The  woman  is 
not  competent  to  watch  her  own  interests.  She  ought 
to  consult  her  friends.  She  should  change  her  dress 
and  appear  more  like  a  sane  person.  I  almost  fear 
she  is  love  cracked.  General,*  she  needs  female  care; 
I  will  be  surety  for  her." 

"  No.  La  Scheme,  you  may  consider  yourself  un- 
der arrest,  with  the  privilege  of  the  city,  to  report 
here  every  morning  at  nine  o'clock.  She  must  remain 
in  charge.  I  will  yield  this  ;  corporal,  you  shall  take 
her  to  her  friends,  and  remain  as  a  guard  near  until 
she  shall  be  prepared  to  be  restrained  her  liberty. — 
You  will  then  accompany  her  to  the  dwelling  occu- 
pied by  Mr.  Sandison,  and  remain  in  charge  until  re- 
lieved, giving  her  the  liberty  of  the  parlors  and  the 
portico,  not  letting  her  out  of  your  sight,  nor  holding 
any  intercourse  with  any  one,  except  in  your  pres- 
ence. There  is  a  small  ventilated  room,  back  from 
the  parlor  which  was  made  for  just  such  prisoners.  I 
will  send  you  written  orders." 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

The  parlors  of  the  Sandison  dwelhng  were  hghted, 
and  company  was  gathering,  on  the  evening  of  that 
day.  Leette  never  was  more  elegantly  attired,  nor 
ever  looked  so  handsome.  She  attracted  attention, 
and  was  treated  so  courteously  by  her  guard  that  no 
uninformed  spectator  would  suspect  her  to  be  a  pris- 
oner under  arrest.  When  asked  for  music,  she  un- 
hesitatingly complied,  requesting  the  Corporal,  as  a 
favor,  to  turn  her  pages,  and  gracefully  accepted  his 
arm  who  invited  her  to  play. 

With  this  part  of  our  characters  we  have  not  now 
to  do  ;  but  with  the  Adjutant  General,  who  took  La 
Scheme  by  the  arm  and  led  him  out  upon  the  portico. 

"  I  have  orders  to  write  the  Judge  Advocate,  com- 
manding him  to  examine  Corporal  Manet  under  oath, 
preliminary  to  drawing  up  charges  against  you  and 
Miss  Ledonc,  for  trial  before  a  commission." 

"  What  are  the  charges  against  me  ?" 

"  Being  in  communication  with  the  enemy  and  aid- 


COTTON   STEALING.  385 

ing  them  witli   contraband  of  Avar.     All  that  saved 
you  was  tlie  engagement  of  the  witness  as  guard/' 

"  And,"  said  La  Scheme,  "  The  fact  that  I  had  been 
engaged  with  the  General  himself  in  cotton  specu- 
lating, which  I  should  be  most  certain  to  reveal,  and 
which  mj  partners  at  the  North  would  so  publish  as 
to  ruin  his  character.  No,  no,  the  General  has  not 
considered  all  the  bearings  of  such  a  charge  against 
me.  You  need  only  suggest  this  to  him,  and  tell 
him  I  can  explain  whatever  he  desires  to  understand, 
and  he  will  perceive  it  is  for  his  interest  to  let  me 
alone.  I  have  friends  in  Washington  who  can  easily 
procure  my  release,  even  if  a  commission  should  find 
me  guilty.  And  you,  who  know  something  of  such 
things,  ought  to  be  wise  enough  to  perceive  I  stand 
in  no  danger.  I  know  too  much.  Why,  Adjutant, 
so  far  as  you  yourself  are  concerned,  you  would 
never  permit  me  to  go  to  trial.  Now  I  want  you  to 
understand  me — I  do  not  threaten,  I  know  better — 
but  I  can  make  mcfre  money  in  cotton  than  any  other 
live  man,  and  he  is  in  the  business  and  it  will  not 
pay  for  him  to  confine  me.  I  should  certainly  re- 
member it.  It  would  not  pay  to  have  my  ill-will  in- 
side the  other  lines.  This  is  all  talk :  your  own 
good  sense  tells  you  what  a  foolish,  inconsiderate 
folly  haste  would  be  in  this  matter,  and  before  the 
evening  is  over  you  will  be  glad  nothing  has  been 
done." 

He  paused  a  moment,  then  continued  : 
"  I  thank  you  for  giving  me  this  notice.     I    ex- 
pected as  much,  and  am  happy  not  to  be  disappointed. 
25 


•0 


386  COTTON    STEALING. 

I  have  been  interested  in  you  from  the  first.  To  tell 
the  truth,  I  had  rather  see  you  make  money  than 
any  person  I  am  concerned  with,  even  the  General. 
Good-will  calls  for  a  return  in  kind.  I  ask  only 
the  opportunity  to  make  you  one  of  the  wealthiest 
men  on  the  continent.  Another  person  might  doubt 
my  ability :  this  very  charge  indicates  the  ground  of 
my  confidence.  I  am  in  favor  the  other  side  of  the 
lines,  by  which  advantage  I  am  enabled  to  deliver 
any  amount  of  cotton  at  any  safe  point.  The  idea 
of  delivering  contraband !  My  dear  sir,  our  last 
engagement  was  undertaken  with  that  express  under- 
standing. It  is  too  late  for  you  now  to  profess 
horror  at  the  event,  particularly  when  a  mere  Cor- 
poral attempts  to  expose.  Face  it  down.  Your 
word,  the  General's,  is  double,  treble,  will  over- 
whelm that  of  any  private ;  especially  when,  as  in 
this  case,  the  goods  were  immediately  divided  among 
individuals  and  never  benefitted  the  army.  The 
people  at  the  North  have  confidence  in  you — are 
predisposed  to  believe  you  are  honest,  as  you  are. 
I  hold  it  right  to  use  these  side  opportunities  to 
make  money.  There  is  no  reason  in  the  world  why 
you  should  not  make  your  share,  while  irresponsible 
foreigners,  and  men  too  cowardly  to  fight,  are  mak- 
ing fortunes  every  day.  I  think  I  have  said  enough 
on  this  point. 

'^  That  Corporal  could  not  understand  how  and 
why  I  should,  in  the  legitimate  course  of  business, 
seem  to  aid  and  abet  the  rebels.  I  did,  but  it  was 
when  in  your  employ,  doing  your  business   and  de- 


•  • 


COTTON  STEALING.  387 

livering  jour  goods.  You  know  tlie  whole  transac- 
tion, and  have  the  money  in  your  pocket.  Now 
judge,  ask  the  General  to  decide,  if  or  not,  I  am 
guilty." 

There  being  no  reply  he  resumed : 
"  I  am  inclined  to  think  the  Corporal  has  some 
secret  cause  against  you.  I  know  he  is  a  smart, 
sharp  fellow  ;  and  learning  from  the  accident  of  his 
imprisonment  that  you  were  making  money,  sees  that 
he  can  reach  you  through  me." 

Charlie  gave  a  start.  His  jealousy  was  aroused. 
They  had  turned  and  were  looking  through  the  open 
window.     La  Scheme  continued  : 

"  See  him  now,  pretending  to  guard  Leette  while 
he  is  really  paying  attention  to  Miss  Sandison.     It 
may  be  you  do  not  read  human  nature  as  I  do  ;  but 
no  great  penetration  is  needed  to  determine  an  under- 
standing exists  between  them,  and  perhaps  more.— 
He  has  a  long  head.     He  won't  touch  you,   oh  no  ! 
but   he  will    involve  Leette  and  me,  knowing  I  am 
your  agent ;  that,  in  order  to  defend  myself,  ~I  shall 
have  to  call  upon  you,  to  prove  the  authority  under 
which  I  acted,  and  then  he  hopes  to  see  you  brought 
down.     Did  you  ever  give  him  cause  to^^hate  you  ?" 
Charlie    answered    slowly,   '' Y-e-s,    but    Solenter 
was  most  to  blame.     I  never  gave  him  credit   for 
such  scheming.       It  looks   likely.     I  do  not  beheve 
Allie  is  party  concerned." 

"No,  I  do  not  think  she  is.  She  is  not  smart 
enough.  How  did  it  happen  you  ever  fancied  her  ? 
Such  a  talented  man  as  you   are  could  have  your 


388  COTTON    STEALING. 

pick,  among  the  richest,  and  most  splendid  girls  of 
the  country." 

"  She  was  the  pick." 

"  You  thought  so  then  :  you  were  too  mucli  in  a 
hurry.  She  is  nothing  but  an  unsophisticated  coun- 
try girl,  and  will  never  change — no  more  calculated 
for  you,  and  the  society  in  which  you  will  move, 
than  a  maid  servant  for  mistre.-s  of  your  establish- 
ment. You  are  rich  already ;  before  the  war  is  over 
will  be  worth  a  million,  then  your  little  Western 
village  will  be  too  small,  and  you  will  live  in  New 
York.  I  know  what  I  am  saying,  I  know  where  the 
cotton  is,  and  you,  I,  and  the  General  can  get  it. 
Now,  Adjutant,  why  don't  you  try  and  get  Leette  ? 
She  thinks  well  of  you  :  somehow  you  make  an  im- 
pression. You  sing  and  play,  and  all  that — fight, 
too.     Leette  is  worth  winning." 

"  Indeed  she  is  !"  said  Charlie.  "  One  of  the  most 
affectionate  creatures  I  ever  knew.  If  I  was  not  en- 
gaged, I  should  be  tempted.  Isn't  she  splendid! 
She  is  a  gem  !" 

This  burst  from  Charlie  was  produced  by  the  grace- 
ful reception  given  to  Gen.  Solenter,  who  then  came 
into  the  room.     La  Scheme  immediately  said  : 

"Now  is  your  time;  you  know  what  to  say.  In 
these  matters  the  General  will  do  what  must  be  done, 
and  you  know,  you  nor  he,  can  afford  to  compromise 
my  safety.  Say  to  him  also  from  me,  that  Miss  Le- 
donc  is  innocent ;  and  were  she  not,  we  cannot  afford 
to  have  an  investigation  at  the  present  time.  You 
understand  me  ?" 


COTTON    STEALING.  389 

"  Yes.  I  think  I  can  arrange  it,  ^hough  that  con- 
founded pass  I  gave  last  night  has  made  him  cross  as 
two  sticks  ;  not  that  he  cares,  but  General  Sherman 
may  chance  to  light  upon  him,  and  he  would  rather 
see  the  devil." 

"  All  the  more  reason  for  not  stirring  at  this  time. 
Would  it  help  him  any  to  be  known  as  cotton  specu- 
lating ?  and  it  will  be  known.  Hush  it  up  ;  let  it  die  ; 
certainly  no  damage  has  yet  been  done — m'ake  a  farce 
of  the  examination.  Ahvays  keep  such  things  in  the 
dark.  Tell  the  General  to  see  Leette  himself,  and 
he  will  be  satisfied  of  her  innocence." 

"  I  will  see  what  can  be  done." 

Thus  saying,  the  Adjutant  General  went  on  his 
mission  to  his  commanding  oflScer. 

While  the  interview  between  them  was  progressing 
La  Scheme  held  aloof  from  the  gay  groups  in  the 
parlors.  These  were  large  rooms,  lighted  by  gas 
chandeliers,  with  great  bay-windows :  the  former 
owner  having  sought  to  realize  the  splendor  of  no- 
bility. Curtains  of  heavy  damask  hung  over  the 
recesses,  mirrors  of  French  plate  glass  reached  from 
floor  to  ceiling,  and  oil  paintings  decorated  the  wails. 
There  were  portraits  of  master  and  mistress.  Ah  ! 
had  they  been  here,  would  they  have  gazed  unmoved 
on  the  lace  and  shining  decorations  of  the  officers  of 
the  nation  ?  Would  those  selections  of  their  taste 
and  wealth  have  occasioned  happiness ;  the  means,  as 
they  now  were,  of  adding  to  the  pleasures  of  Yankee 
soldiers — the  aiders  and  abettors  of  flirtation  with 
conquerors   of  the  South  ?     More  than  one  of  these 


390  COTTON    STEALING. 

thoughts  were  present,  interfering  not,  rather  height- 
ening, the  zest  of  enjoyment. 

From  one  of  the  alcoves  the  Adjutant  General 
came  from  his  interview  with  his  commander,  saying 
to  La  Scheme  when  they  met  : 

"  I  believe  it  is  all  right  ;  he  will  see  Leette  him- 
self and  give  her  an  opportunity  for  explanation,  and 
if  satisfactory,  that  will  be  the  end.  He  admitted 
the  force  of  your  suggestions,  and  said  he  should  not 
have  moved  in  the  matter  had  it  not  been  for  outside 
pressure.     Let  us  go  in.     Didn't  I  tell  you  ?" 

Leette,  the  rebel,  is  walking  with  the  General, 
who  has  destroyed  her  home,  whom  she  hates  most 
cordially  ;  and  though  he  holds  her  destiny  in  his 
hands,  she  does  not  change  a  feature.  From  infancy, 
society  has  educated  her  to  deceive.  She  has  been 
more  true  to  herself  since  the  war  broke  down  res- 
traint and  permitted  nature  to  think  and  act  out  loud, 
than  when  peace  imposed  the  white  lies  of  graceful 
society  upon  her.  She  returns  easily  to  the  mask 
which  art  puts  upon  the  soul. 

"  General,  what  return  can  I  make  for  your  gen- 
tlemanly conduct  this  day  ?  You  do  not  know  how  I 
appreciate  your  consideration.  I  am  tempted  to  be- 
lieve that  you  do  not  share  in  the  motives  of  my  ac- 
cuser, or  else,  do  not  believe  the  truth  of  the  accusa- 
tion- Is  it  true  that  James  is  the  only  witness  against 
me  ?     What  does  he  say?" 

"^  Miss  Ledonc,  I  do  not  know.  As  yet  the  charges 
are  not  put  in  writing.  I  have  ordered  the  examina- 
tion to  take  place  to-morrow ;  as  soon  as  the  Judge 


COTTON   STEALING.  391 

Advocatelias  framed  the  specifications  you  shall  have 
a  copy.  To  tell  the  truth,  I  am  very  sorry  this  lias 
ever  happened,  for  I  had  entertained  a  different  opin- 
ion of  you  ;  indeed,  it  seems  impossible  now." 

"  It  is  impossible,  General.  It  is  not  true.  The 
charges  are  false.  General,  if  I  can  convince  you, 
cannot  these  proceedings  cease  ?  Must  I  still  be  a 
prisoner,  and  be  subjected  to  flie  indignity  of  a  trial 
before  that  dreadful  commission?" 

"  I  fear  you  must.  The  matter  has  gone  too  far. 
It  is  too  public." 

"  Why  who  knows  it  but  us  ?  Few  even  of  my 
friends  know  of  my  arrest.     It  will  die  of  itself." 

"You  mistake.  Miss  Ledonc.  It  will  reach  home 
and  influence  the  public  there." 

"I  understand.  That  Corporal,  that  woman's 
tongue,  you  fear.  I  can  remove  that,  because  he  can 
prove  nothing  against  me.     Will  you  confront  us  ?" 

"  Certainly."  Turning  from  their  promenade  they 
met  the  corporal,  who  was  following  at  a  respectful 
distance,  doing  his  duty  when  his  prisoner  was  in 
charge  of  the  General  himself.  At  a  motion,  he  ad- 
vanced, and  the  General  addressed  him, — 

''  Corporal,  state  when,  how  and  where  you  became 
acquainted  with  Miss  Ledonc  ;  also  the  evidence  you 
possess  of  her  character  as  a  rebel  and  a  spy."  He 
answered, — 

"  I  first  saw  her  on  the  street  in  Helena  in  com- 
pany of  Mr.  La  Scheme  ;  next,  when  she  attempted 
to  run  the  picket  guard  :  and  afterwards,  when  she 
saved  my  life  from  the  guerillas,  which  was  given  to 


392  COTTON  STEALING. 

her  in  consideration  of  her  services  as  a  spy  and  smug- 
gler of  contraband  of  war.'" 

'  It  is  false  !"  exclaimed  Leette,  "  and  if  I  were  a 
man  I  would  crush  your  perjured  tongue  down  your 
lying  throat.  You  are  meanly  and  cowardly  false  to 
lie  against  the  character  of  a  woman  who  saved  your 
life  !     You  are  a  liar  and  you  know  it  I" 

"  Mr.  La  Scheme  told  the  guerillas  this  was  true  in 
the  speech  he  made  when  dividing  the  articles  amo«g 
them.  They  left  me  and  went  with  him,  saying,  'Let 
her  have  him.  Let  her  have  the  dyed  Yankee.  Bul- 
ly for  Miss  Leette  !'  and  those  of  our  boys  who  >vere 
present  can  prove  it." 

The  exclamation  of  Leette,  loud  and  fiery,  drew 
the  Adjutant  General  and  La  Scheme  to  hear  the 
conversation.  Upon  hearing  Ills  name,  La  Scheme 
said, — 

"  Since  my  name  has  been  m.entioned,  it  becomes 
me  to  explain  my  appearance  among  the  guerillas, 
and  my  connection  with  this  affair.  I  do  not  blame 
Leette  for  anger  under  such  circumstances  ;  certain- 
ly, if  I  could  have  imagined  how  ungrateful  the  cor- 
poral has  proved,  I  would  have  spoken  no  word  in  his 
behalf.  I  see  my  old  friend  Sandison.  I  am  glad  to 
welcome  you  under  such  circurhstances,  for  we  knew 
each  other  as  college  mates,  and  he  can  confirm  the 
facts  1  now  relate. 

"  When  we  were  in  college  a  boy  used  to  black  our 
boots  and  sweep  our  rooms,  a  small  matter  of  a  penny 
a  day,  which  we  settled  by  gifts  of  old  clothes,  boots, 
&c.  He  was  a  reasonably  smart  enterprising  lad,  and 


COTTON  STEALING.  393 

we  were  pleased  with  him  ;  were  we  not,  Sandison  ?" 
"  Yes,  o.n(l  liis  name  was  James  Manet,  now  before 
us.    Goon," 

"•  I  recognized  him  among  the  prisoners,  as  a  gu- 
erilhi  was  about  to  save  the  trouble  of  toting  his  car- 
cass to  the  other  side  ;  and  with  difficulty  saved  his 
life,  by  asking  Leette  as  a  woman,  to  do  what  was  be- 
yond my  power,  as  a  man.  Even  then,  the  men  were 
not  satisfied,  for  he  had  shot  several,  (much  to  his 
credit,  which  made  me  the  more  anxious  to  save  him,) 
but  I  myself  was  sailing  under  false  colors,  and  had 
a  narrow  and  delicate  path  to  walk  to  save  my  own 
life  and  accomplish  the  cotton  mission  I  was  on.  You 
know  gentlemen,  and  I  need  not  explain,  how  that  de- 
mands peculiar  finesse  ;  and  I  must  say,  under  the 
circumstances,  I  had  no  great  regard  for  truth.  I 
thought  the  end  justified  the  means.  Besides,  our 
friend  here,  could  hardly  be  said  to  be  in  a  condition 
to  gain  very  clear  ideas,  as  he  had  been  ridden  down ; 
which  blow  had  broken  three  ribs,  while  a  stone  upon 
which  he  had  fallen  had  stunned  him,  leavins:  that 
scar  on  his  forehead.  Besides,  he  had  a  pistol  wound 
in  the  arm.  Such  a  pitiable  object  you  never  set  eyes 
on.  Had  I  not  a  good  memory  I  would  have  passed 
him  by,  but  I  never  forget  a  face  I  have  once  seen. — 
Under  these  circumstances,  gentlemen,  it  is  more 
than  liard  for  Miss  Ledonc,  who  is  innocent  as  a  babe, 
to  receive  such  a  return  for  her  kindness,  since  all  he 
is  to  day,  lie  owes  to  her  care." 

"Very  true,"  said  the  General.     "  There  is,  how- 
ever, one  thing  unexplained.     Where  did  the  articles 


394  COTTON  STEALING. 

which  you  distributed  to  the  guerillas  come  from  ?" 

"  That  was  a  matter  of  special  permit  from  the 
General  in  command  of  the  Post,  to  Miss  Leette,  for 
the  slaves  on  her  plantation.  It  was  j^ll  right.  Cor- 
poral, were  not  the  papers  properly  signed?" 

"  Yes,  the  signatures  were  correct,  but  the  ambig- 
uity and  quantity  were  suspicious,  and  therefore  I 
stopped  them." 

"  You  understand  how  such  things  are,  General.  I 
wa,s  getting  in  the  cotton :  Leette  saw  difficulty  was 
inevitable  and  foolishly  attempted  to  come  to  mo.  The 
Corporal  fired  and  drew  the  attention  of  the  guerillas, 
who  were  after  my  cotton  to  burn.  They  went  in 
for  a  fight.  I  got  the  cotton  in  safe,  and  then  went  to 
look  after  Leette  and  arrived  in  time  to  save  the  cor- 
poral's life.  They  used  to  say  one  good  turn  deserves 
another.  I  should  be  very  sorry  if  such  an  act  of 
hospitality  should  endanger  the  life  or  even  safety  of 
Miss  Ledonc," 

"I  do  not  believe  one  word  of  it,"  said  Allie  San- 
dison.  "  The  cotton  was  guerilla  cotton.  You  must 
have  been  with  the  guerillas,  and  Leette  must  have 
been  a  spy.  Why  did  you  tell  the  gang,  Leette  was 
going  to  Yazoo  city  ?  Why  did  Leette  tell  me,  James 
insulted  her  ;  why  did  she  set  the  guerillas  and  blood- 
hounds on  his  track,  and  try  to  burn  him  to  death  ?" 

"  I  did  not  try  to  burn  him  to  death." 

"You  did,  you  know  you  did.  You  ofi'ered  him 
your  love.  You  tried  to  seduce  him  from  his  allegiance 
to  his  country,  to  make  him  a  rebel,  a  traitor  like 
yourself.     And  when  you  failed,  like  a  fiend,  for  no 


COTTON    STEALING.  6\)b 

true  woman  would  set  blood  hounds  upon  the  track 
of  the  bare  feet  of  one  whom  she  loved  ;  would  come 
and  look  coolly  on  when  the  house  was  burninnr,  where 
every  blast  seemed  full  of  his  scorched  flesh  and  burnt 
bones.  Yes,  like  a  fiend!  you  called  off  the  dogs  when 
your  work  was  done.  You  thought  it  was  done.  You 
with  a  woman's  heart  to  leave  that  poor  widow  alone 
with  that  murdered  babe  !  Yes,  murdered  babe  !  and 
you  murdered  it.  When  Bill  Wolgo,  hounded  on  by 
you,  stood  cursing  that  lone,  unprotected  woman, 
threatening  her  infant's  life,  unconsciously  stifled  its 
feeble  breath,  the  act  was  yours." 

"It  is  false!     Girl,  you  lie!" 

"Jt  is  true,"  said  James  Manet,  "I  saw  you  my- 
self." 

"  Where  were  you  ?" 

"Under the  floor!" 

"  The  dogs  did  not  find  you  !" 

"Leette  !"  warned  La  Scheme.     He  was  too  late. 

"I  know  it.  I  had  found  the  slave's  secret.  I 
threw  them  from  the  track  and  outwitted  the  hounds." 

"  This  has  gone  far  enough,"  interrupted  General 
Solenter.  "  I  see  clearly  there  will  have  to  be  an  in- 
vestigation. So  far  as  you  are  concerned,  Mr.  La 
Scheme,  the  explanation  is  satisfactory.  Adjutant, 
leave  Mr.  La  Scheme's  name  out  of  the  order.  I  am 
sorry  for  you,  Miss  Ledonc,  but  the  examination  must 
be  held.  Corporal,  I  leave  her  in  your  custody  for 
the  night,  or  until  reheved.  See  every  want  attend- 
ed to  so  far  as  possible." 

"  Stay,  General.     Do  not   leave  before  you  hear 


396  COTTON  STEALING. 

mj  answer  to  this  monstrous  accusation.  While  I 
was  astounded  by  it,  I  could  not  but  admire  the  ef- 
frontery with  which  this  young  maiden  espoused  the 
cause  of  her  discarded  lover,  and  the  readiness  with 
which  she  substantiated  the  tale  he  has  privately  tat- 
tled in  her  ears.  lie  is  an  honorable  man  and  she 
is  an  honorable  woman;  they  are  witnesses,  and  I  am 
accused  ;  but,  thank  God,  I  am  not  guilty.  Can  such 
a  preposterous  story  be  credited  a  single  moment  ? — 
No  sane  man  or  woman  can  believe  it.  Nor  would 
these  unless  they  had  been  guilty,  and  desired  to  cre- 
ate an  impression  of  innocence,  by  accusing  others 
more  pure  than  themselves  of  crime." 

"Miss  Ledonc,"  said  Allie  Sandison,  "do  you  be- 
lieve in  the  God  whose  name  you  so  easily  take  on 
your  lips  ?  You  do  not  answer.  How  many  times 
have  you  told  me  there  was  no  God  ?  Before  this 
war  commenced,  civilized  women  never  wore  jewelry 
made  of  dead  men's  bones;  never  sent  requests  to 
lovers  to  bring  them  from  the  Rattle  field,  trophies 
which  savages  love,  and  cannibals  gloat  over.  Your 
slavery  has  cursed  your  souls.  A  woman  who  can 
heat  an  iron,  and  drop  burning  sealing  wax  all  on 
fire,  to  blister  the  bare  back  of  her  half  sister,  because 
the  passionate  blood  of  the  same  father  resents  the 
ignominy  of  being  a  slave,  is  capable  of  setting  blood 
hounds  on  one  she  has  loved,  for  not  reciprocating  her 
passion.  Into  the  face  of  such  an  one,  I  hurl  all  in- 
sinuations with  contempt  and  scorn.  What  I  am  I 
can  answer  to  God.  What  you  are,  God  only  knows. 
May  he  have  mercy  on  you  !" 


COTTON  STEALING.  397 


4 


Tlierc  is  this  peculiarity  of  a  black  eye ;  if  the 
facial  lines  are  thoroughly  under  control,  it  tells  no 
tales ;  it  burns  like  the  sun,  but  writes  neither  inno- 
nocent  or  guilty  upon  the  jury-mind  "watching  the 
prisoner  countenance  for  evidence.  Leette's  face 
"was  a  foil,  "with  only  one  expressive  member,  the  thin 
upper  lip  which  clung  to  her  smooth  teeth  as  if  two 
double  purchase  blocks  were  straining  on  either  side 
to  part  it  over  the  jaw.  The  lips  opened  with  a  smile 
of  scorn,  as  she  answered, — 

'^  I  am  not  yet  on  trial  before  His  bar,  if  He  has 
any.  I  would  expect  no  justice  there,  were  He  a  fe- 
male abolitionist,  fickle  to  love  and  unlove  in  a  single 
breath.     My  God  is  unchangeable." 

Here  La  Scheme  interposed.  "A  "toman's  quar- 
rel. General,  this  is  too  small  business  for  us.  Will 
you  give  me  a  moment  while  they  fight  it  out  between 
themselves.  When  women  dispute  on  love  and  reli- 
gion, the  contest  bids  fair  to  be  interminable." 

This  remark  broke  the  circle.  Allie  left  the  room 
with  her  father.  Leette  said  to  her  guard,  "After  so 
much  discord  I  would  like  harmony.  May  I  play  on 
the  piano  ?" 

It  was  not  yet  late,  and  callers  were  still  coming  ; 
the  large  rooms  admitted  various  groupings,  none  had 
presumed  to  intrude  upon  the  General,  so  that  an  oc- 
casional loud  word  merely  attracted  attention  or  ex- 
cited curiosity  which  had  not  been  gratified.  Leette 
was  so  highly  excited  that  a  vent  was  indispensable  ; 
her  knowledge  of  chords,  her  memory  of  past  lessons 
and  favorite  subjects,  enabled  her  to  vent  upon  the 


398  COTTON  STEALING. 

instrument,  the  passions  of  her  soul ;  a  wayward, 
weird  medley,  which  none  but  a  skilled  reader  of  mu- 
sical passion  could  interpret. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

When  General  Scienter  had  retired  from  hearing 
he  looked  at  La  Scheme,  and  simply  said,  "  Well?" 

"  What  do  you  think  of  Leette,  General  ?"  was  the 
reply  to  that  question. 

"  It  will  go  hard  with  her." 

"You  do  not  believe  her  guilty  ?" 

"  Appearances  are  not  in  her  favor." 

"  Would  you  approve  the  sentence,  if  a  commis- 
sion should  find  against  her?" 

"  I'd  hang  her  high  as  Haman." 

"  General,  Leette  must  not  die.  You  need  not 
Bave  her :  simply  do  not  interfere :  that  will  be 
enough.  I  will  give  five  thousand  dollars  just  to  let 
the  matter  rest,  and  when  an  opening  comes  to  let 
her  slip  out.  We  have  had  dealings,  we  have  se- 
crets, and  it  is  best  for  us  to  be  friends  :  we  cannot 
afford  to  be  enemies.  Leette  has  many  strong  friends 
who  have  cotton,  and  by  her  influence  we  can  make 
many  n  cool  thousand.  I  will  induce  her  to  pro- 
cure another  steamboat  load  for  half  the  other  cost." 


400  COTTON  STEALING. 

"  You  know  licr  very  well  now.  I  thought  so  : 
no  matter,  I  want  no  more  boat  loads  of  cotton:  the 
risk  is  too  great ;  that  form  of  business  is  closed:  the 
danger  of  detection  destroys  the  value  of  the  pro- 
ceeds— the  anxiety  absorbs  all  else,  and  interferes 
with  regular  business.     That  is  final." 

"  I  understand  your  position  and  your  feelings. — 
You  do  not  object  to  the  profits,  but  the  risk.  I 
agree  to  take  all  risks.  You  shall  have  no  share  in 
any  transaction  "Vfhatever  :  before  anything  is  under- 
taken, I  will  pay  you  in  solid  cash,  or  its  equivalent, 
for  the  privileges  you  give,  and  chance  the  rest ;  or, 
if  you  prefer,  you  shall  have  one  half  gold  and  one 
third  of  the  net  profits  of  every  venture.  You  see, 
that  in  failure,  you  retain  the  amount  advanced. — 
You  can  lose  nothing,  for  you  invest  nothing.  Is 
not  that  fair  ?  I  furnish  all  the  capital,  run  all  the 
risks  :  you  simply  grant  privileges  and  prevent  op- 
position." 

"  Yes,  that  removes  the  difficulty.  But  why  do 
you  press  so  for  Miss  Ledonc  ?  You  have  not  fallen 
in  love  ?" 

"No.  I  thank  you  for  the  opportunity  for  ex- 
planation. I  made  her  acquaintance  in  that  Helena 
cotton  speculation.  The  officers  are  in  there,  as  they 
are  here.     You  know  all  about  it — " 

"  Y^es,  yes.     Go  on." 

"  I  found  her  a  smart  one,  more  than  equal  to  me, 
and  for  a  time  kept  away  from  her.  Then  your  ex- 
pedition down  the  river  burnt  her  plantation,  and 
brought  her  here ;  that  caused  our  transaction  for 


COTTON  STEALING.  4^1 

the  tliousantl  bales,  which  opened  my  eyes.  I  have 
studied  her ;  I  have  found  how  I  can  use  her  to  ad- 
vantage. She  has  done  me  a  good  turn,  and  I  never 
desert  my  friends.  You,  General,  sec  what  she  is. 
I  know  I  can  make  her  pay.  I  want  to  make  my  for- 
tune on  cotton.  Leette  knows  where  it- is.  We  make 
her  a  cat's  paw  to  pull  our  chestnuts  out  of  the  fire. 
She  does  not  know  my  motives.  I  do  not  often  find 
a  woman  to  be  trusted.  She  has  not  failed. thus  far, 
and,  if  I  can  bind  her  by  that  woman's  failing — 
gratitude,  I  am  safe  for  a  million  or  two  as  my 
share. 

"  Xow,    as  to   the  charge  of  being  a  spy.     There 
can  be  no  other.     The  idea  of  her  killing  a  favorite 
hoTse,  and  taking  out  its  bowels.     Bah  !  the  idea  is 
its  own  refutation.    No  woman  could  do  such  a  thing. 
(She  did  not ;  he  himself  had  done  that  work.)    I  do 
not  deny  the  possibility  ;  when  you  think  a  moment 
you   see   its   improbability.      So  you  see  the   only 
charge  is  that  of  being  a  spy  ;  and  I  assure  you,  for 
I  have  studied  her,  that  she  is  a  Union  woman  as  far 
as  it  is   possible  for  a  Southern   born   female  to  be 
Union.     She  has  passed  between  the  lines  on  cotton 
business ;  and  every  one  so  passing  can  be  called  a 
spy,  unless  they  are  deaf,  dumb  and  blind.     A  wo- 
man will  talk — will  tell  what  she  sees  and  hears      I 
pledge  my  word  of  honor,  Leette  has  done  no  more. 
"  Now,  as  for  this  Corporal.     I  deceived  him  my- 
self, when  I  first  saw  him,  so  that  he  really  believed 
I  was  secesh.     If  I  had  been,  why  did  I  save  his  life  ? 
I  had  but  to  "keep  silence,  and  he  would  have  been 
2fi 


402  COTTON  STEALING. 

murdered.  General,  you  understand  politics  well 
enough  to  know  how  to  lead  a  crowd  :  one  man  must 
have  sweet,  another  sour — all  things  to  all  pien  ;  and 
in  doing  this  cotton,  I  am,  of  necessity,  compelled 
to  seem  a  rebel,  when  I  am  not.  If  they  knew 
where  I  was,  and  what  I  am  in  the  federal  lines,  the 
very  next  time  my  neck  was  in  the  rebel  camp,  I 
should  have  no  moment  to  ask  for  mercy. 

"  This  Corporal  has  seen  some  things  he  cannot 
explain  :  has  heard  Leette  and  me  gpeak  words  of 
a  treasonable  character.  Can  you  not  explain  them 
all  ?  How  does  one  of  your  spies  act  in  the  confed- 
eracy ?  Would  not  Miss  Ledonc  be  a  fool  to  talk 
Union  before  guerillas,  who  would  take  her  life  in 
an  instant  ?  Would  you  not,  in  a  rebel  camp,  be 
the  best  rebel  of  them  all  ?  General,  it  is  hard  to 
suffer  for  one's  good  deeds.  Because  a  wounded 
prisoner,  out  of  his  head,  could  not  perceive  what  I 
was  doing — that  I  was  as  good  a  Union  man  as  him- 
self— I  am  endangered.  You  know  better,  and  as 
soon  us  you  consider,  relieve  me  from  suspicion. 
The  same,  in  a  different  degree,  is  true  of  Leette.  I 
tell  you,  Manet  has  a  private  spleen  to  vent  against 
her,  and  is  not  to  be  trusted." 

"  I  think  you  are  right,"  said  the  General.  "But 
the  matter  has  gone  too  far  for  me  to  interfere.  I 
do  not  know  but  your  suggestion  is  a  good  one,  talk 
to  the  Adjutant  General." 

''■  If  you  let  it  rest  in  his  and  my  hands,  we  can 
manage  to  keep  you  from  any  possibility  of  suspicion. 
Only  let  it  pass  until  this  expedition  goes  down  ;  the 


COTTON   STEALING.  403 

coast  will  be  clear  and  alj  shall  go  well.  The  Adj't. 
is  a  clever  fellow,  and  sharp  :  if  anything  goes  wrong 
can  be  made  responsible.  He  has  already  done  a 
thing  or  two,  and  can  do  more :  in  case  of  necessity 
he  can  resign.  He  is  safe  for  an  independent  fortune.' 
Now,  General,  I  think  we  understand  each  other.  I 
would  consider  myself  under  obligation  to  speak  to 
Miss  Ledonc  alone." 

"Yes,  you  shall  have  the  opportunity.  Come,  and 
I  will  order  the  Corporal  not  to  interrupt.  You  are 
a  good  friend  and  pleader.  I  hope  I  may  have  such, 
if  I  ever  fall  in  trouble." 

"  True  to  death.  General.  We  will  make  common 
C|use,  and  I  will  defy  the  world  to  tarnish  your  repu- 
tation while  I  am  in  your  debt  for  any  favor.  I 
almost  wish  it  might  come,  to  enable  me  to  prove  my 
ability  and  sincerity." 

"God  forbid!"  said  the  General,  leading  to  the 
piano,  where  Leette  was  still  playing. 

La  Scheme  took  Leette  aside  to  the  window,  near 
the  piano.     She  looked  a  question  ;  he  answered  : 

"  I  have  failed  entirely.  The  only  point  gained  is 
to  delay  the  charges  and  specifications.  The  Gen- 
eral says  it  will  go  hard  with  you,  and  if  found  guilty 
you  will  be  hung  as  high  as  Haman." 

"  If  it  were  not  for  one  thing,"  said  Leette,  "I 
would  not  fear.  You  remember  what  you  told  me  of 
will.  I  have  never  doubted  my  will,  nor  have  ever 
failed  to  conquer,  except  that  woman  and  my  pris- 
oner. He  has  a  power  over  me  ;  I  never  intended 
you   should  discover.      Whence  it  sprung,  how  or 


404  COTTON    STEALING. 

-when,  I  know  not.  He  is  either  ignorant  or  careless 
to  manifest  it  ;  and  she, — tlfere  was  a  repelling  influ- 
ence which  never  relaxed,  which  I  could  not  over- 
come— foiling  my  every  attempt  to  win  her  confi- 
dence. These  two  have  me  in  their  power.  I  feel 
helpless  :  powerful  to  fight,  yet  restrained  from  strik- 
ing a  blow.  I  could  not  be  more  angry,  if  the  con- 
federacy was  overthrown." 

"  There  is  only  one  way  of  escape,  Leette — " 

"  The  way,  said  she  interrupting,  "  which  will 
make  them  happy,  by  bringing  them  together. — 
Never  !  They  shall  be  miserable  while  I  live  and  I 
will  torment  them  afterwards." 

''  Foolish  girl !    How  short-sighted  you  are  !    How 
jealousy  and  hate  blind  a  woman  !      Listen  to  me^ 
and  I  will  prove  this  to  be  your  best  revenge. 

"  Which  hates  the  Corporal  more,  you,  or  the 
Adjutant  ?  You,  who  confess  him  master.  Don't 
shrug  your  pretty  shoulders  or  wrinkle  your  sweet 
face.  Whoever  possesses  a  will  you  attempt  but  can- 
not conquer,  is  your  master,  though  you  may  not  be 
his  slave.  Which  hates  him  more?  The  Adjutant, 
who  knows  his  intended  loves  a  man  whom  he  had 
injured.  Loves !  yes,  and  always  has  and  will,  and 
would  were  she  the  wife,  and  faithful,  too,  of  the 
General.  You  mistake  when  you  imagine  you  would 
make  her  happy,  by  moving  him  out  of  the  way. 
First,  the  Corporal  would  not  fly  to  fill  the  vacuum : 
he  has  gone  in  for  the  war,  and  the  will  you  cannot 
approach  is  the  desire  to  die  for  his  cause.  He  is 
happy  in  thinking  one  he  loves  possesses  the  true 


COTTON    STEALING.  405 

aiFection  of  a  rising  officer.  I  see  how  his  eye  glances, 
every  thought  is  right,  and  he  would  suffer  more  in 
the  pain  this  blow  would  inflict  on  AUie  Sandison 
than  joy  in  the  hope  it  would  open  to  him.  Second, 
the  woman  herself  would  be  wounded  in  the  tendcr- 
est  quick  of  heart  life.  Her  honest  love  rejected, 
by  the  choice  of  another,  she  does  despise — you  know 
how  thoroughly;  judge  by  the  guage  of  your  hate. 
She  will  return  home  discarded.  Drop  into  her  re- 
ception home  the  invidious  rumor,  rejected  because 
the  temptations  of  army  life  proved  too  great  and  she 
had  fallen ;  then,  think  you,  the  loss  would  be  pleas- 
ant ?  No  !  twice  no  I  for  she  does  love  her  intended  ; 
a  love  she  will  miss,  as  you  miss  mine.  That  makes 
you  start.  You  see  my  theory  is  correct.  A  woman 
with  any  size  of  heart,  can  love  a  dozen. 

"Now,  the  Adjutant  hates  him.  I  will  arrange; 
yes,  I,  my  will  is  not  conquered.  I  know  I  shall  suc- 
ceed, if  you  will  take  my  road,  and  not  set  yourself 
in  defiance  of  my  labors  for  your  life.  The  Corporal 
shall  be  sent  to  the  front,  before  she  knows  the  news. 
She  shall  bear  her  burden  alone,  and  in  the  chance  of 
war  he  shall  die.  A  will  like  his,  lives  in  battle  be- 
cause the  life  is  charmed.  lie  has  already  been  shot ; 
the  next  will  end  his  days,  and  the  one  he  loves  be 
twice  a  mourner." 

"  I  have  heard  you,"  answered  Leette.  "  I  grant 
your  position  as  slave,  which  you  shall  recognize  by 
unfolding  truthfully  to  me  what  new  plan  you  have 
devised — into  whose  combinations  I  may  come — 
where  I  must  plav  so  important  a  part  as  to  be  indis- 


406  COTTON   STEALING. 

pensible.  If  you  fail  in  the  least,  I  will  die  here ; 
since  I  know  when  I  am  no  longer  of  use,  you  care 
not  how  soon  I  die." 

•'  Leette,  if  you  make  conditions,  I  also  will  make 
them.  First,  tell  me,  and  I  will  answer  as  frankly, 
will  you  do  my  bidding  to  save  your  life  and  be 
free  ?" 

She  answered,  "  I  will.'* 

"  This  then  is  the  order  :  Go  to  New  York  as  the 
wife  of  a  federal  officer  ;  open  one  of  the  most  fash- 
ionable establishments  in  the  city  ;  draw  the  society 
of  influential  people.  Under  this  curtain  the  work 
for  Korthern  disunion  shall  progress.  Your  house 
will  be  a  center  of  movement,  of  news,  of  all  else 
necesary  to  our  plans.  You  shall  be  mistress  of  a 
kingdom,  in  which  the  thought  of  a  Yankee  husband 
will  be  forgotten,  save  as  it  becomes  necessary  to 
further  our  designs.  I  am  sure  you  cannot  wish  or 
ask  for  anything  better.     Do  you?" 

"No." 

"  Then  I  will  go  and  find  the  Adjutant.  You  see 
it  is  late,  midnight,  and  yet  you  cannot  escape  ;  for 
that  sentinel  is  on  duty,  out  of  earshot,  but  he  does 
not  trust  you  nor  me.  He  obeys,  the  most  danger- 
ous man  in  the  world." 

"When  they  came  out  from  behind  the  curtain,  before 
La  Scheme  left,  the  corporal  advanced,  uttered  the 
military  word,  "Halt !"  La  Scheme  remained  curious 
to  see  what  next. 

"Miss  Ledonc,"  said  the  corporal,  "you  have  a 
pistol  in  your  bosom.     I  will  take  it  if  you  please. — 


COTTON    STEALING.  407 

Do  not  deny,  nor  refuse  to  deliver  it,"  said  he,  after 
hesitation  on  her  part.  "  I  saw  you  put  your  hand 
10  it  when  Miss  Sandison  was  speaking  to  you  ;  when 
you  took  my  arm  I  felt  it,  and  you  touched  it  as  you 
came  out,  to  see  if  it  was  there." 

Leette  took  the  small  patent  four  shooter  and  gave 
it  without  a  word,  an  opportunity  La  Scheme  thought 
too  good  to  escape,  and  he  said, — 

"Master!" 

Leette's  eyes  flashed  upon  him,  but  he  had  turned 
carelessly  and  left  the  room.  .Soon  after,  servants 
entered,  closed  windows,  dropped  shutters,  turned  off 
the  f^as,  save  in  one  burner  which  led  on  the  front 
centre  marble  table,  a  Turkish  hookah  with  a  shade  ; 
then,  they,  at  his  direction,  locked  the  doors  of  the 
back  parlor,  and  he  prepared  for  his  vigil. 

Leette  was  no  longer  at  liberty.  Respect,  for  her 
feelings,  for  the  orders  of  the  General  no  longer  re- 
quired a  loose  rein,  duty  had  been  done  where  every 
person  was  an  aid ;  now,  darkness  brought  responsi- 
bility, and  duty  put  on  its  stern  face  and  led  the  pris- 
oner, with  the  respect  which  adheres  to  a  daughter  of 
man's  first  mother,  to  the  room  which  became  a  cell, 
the  moment  the  command  was  given,  "Do  not  leave 
this  room,  under  any  pretext,  to-night." 

At  that  hour  aftfer  midnight,  when  deep  sleep  falls 
on  men,  the  corporal,  weary  with  his  responsible  duty 
and  unrelieved,  sat  him  down  on  a  chair  to  rest  after 
his  slow  pacing  backwards  and  forwards  before  the 
large  folding. doors  of  the  inner  parlor.  His  back 
was  toward  the  door  of  the  apartment  where    Leette 


408  COTTON    STEALING. 

was  a  prisoner  ;  remaining  in  this  position  a  time,  he 
fell  into  that  half  dream  sleep,  which  often  overtakes 
the  watcher  fatigued  bj  previous  exertion. 

When  Leette  entered  her  jail,  she  left  the  door  ajar, 
had  noisily  unrobed  to  conve'y  the  impression  of 
retiring,  while  she  retained  garments  sufficient  for  a 
full  dress  ;  then  threw  herself  heavily  on  the  sofa  bed; 
whence  she,  looking  from  her  darkness,  into  his  dim 
light,  Avatched  every  step  of  her  guard.  The  thought 
of  her  soul  was, 

"I  wish  I  could  kill  him.  He  is  the  only  witness 
against  me  whom  I  fear,  '  my  master !'  and  La  Scheme 
taunted  me.  Then  I  would  be  master,  I  would  be 
revenged  on  Allie,  on  them  all.  He  has  my  revolver, 
I  dare  not  shoot  if  I  had.  I  can  stab  him.  That  is 
safe.  He  did  not  suspect  that."  Then  she  f*lt  for 
a  pearl  handled  poniard  and  found  it  there.  She 
watched  and  waited,  but  the  regular  light  footstep, 
the  regular  passing  from  before  the  single  stream  of 
light  falling  on  her  eyes,  told  him  watchful,  and  she 
dare  not  try  his  hand,  well  armed,  awake.  The  steadi- 
ness of  the  motion  of  the  corporal  became  at  last  wea- 
risome, and  losing  her  excitement  in  its  continual 
lullaby^  she  dropped  asleep.  When  the  sentinel  sat 
down,  the  change  aroused  her  with  a  start,  which  also 
jarred  the  sofa.  For  a  moment,  everything  was  im- 
palpable, then  her  situation  came  back  upon  her  ;  and 
to  eyes  awakened  from  sleep,  the  dim  light  of  the 
large  rooms  was  clear  day.  She  saw  the  corporal  as 
she  prayed, —  if  intense  desires  can  take  form  of 
prayer, — he  might  be  asleep.     She  lay  perfectly  still 


•  COTTON   STEALING.  409 

to  let  him  sleep,  then  came  and  pushed  wide  open  the 
door.  It  moved  noiselessly,  yet  she  unsatisfied,  only 
looked  at  the  corporal,  took  at  the  glance  his  whole 
position,  aiid-Avent  antf  lay  down  again,  fasttoing  her 
lynx-eyes  upon  his  motionless  form  to  detect  any  sign 
of  watchfulness,  and  so  far  as  will  has  power  to  put 
antagonists  in  sleep,  to  magnetize  him  by  spidery  webs 
more  strono^  than  wire  net  works  or  iron  bars.  Becom- 
ing  satisfied  he  really  was  asleep,  she  left  her  couch 
and  came  silently,  until  she  stood  within  reach  behind 
his  back.  At  this  moment  she  stretched  her  hand  to 
its  full  distance,  calculating  the  range  of  the  heart, 
which  was  unprotected,  even  by  an  arm.  Then  the 
peculiarity  of  her  position,  the  possibility  of  detection 
and  its  consequences,  gave  pause.  She  drew  her  dag- 
ger near  her  head,  hfted  her  other  hand  in  the  position 
of  listening ;  that  concentration  of  being  in  the  ear, 
which  makes  a  pin  fall  louder  than  a  sledge  upon  an 
anvil,  and  the  jar  of  a  door  like  a  clap  of  thunder  ; — 
there  was  no  pin  fall,  no  jar,  no  creak  of  boards. 
Again  she  drew  up  her  arm  to  strike ;  again  hesitated, 
in  this  instance  looked  straight  before  her, — then 
dropped  her  hand  and  went  into  her  chamber. 

She  had  seen  in  the  tall  mirror  reflected,  her  own 
murderous  face,  her  own  uplifted  arm,  her  own  un- 
clad form  :  none  of  these  had  paralyzed  her  soul,  un- 
nerved her  will.  She  had  also  seen  the  reflection  of 
the  Corporal's  clear  eye  fastened  on  her  own ;  and 
seen  him  not  only  awake,  but  holding  her  own  revol- 
ver pointing  at  her  head  I  a  hand  more  firm,  a  will  more 
fixed,  a  finger  more  prompt  than  her  own.  Her  mas- 
ter ! 


410  COTTON  STEALING. 

His  sleep  had  been  the  strange  wakefulness  of  ex- 
haustion, where  mind  awake,  the  body  sleeps.  He 
had  sat  his  chair  before  the  glass  which  reflected  her 
door,  well  knowing  egress  was'impossible  without  that 
faithful  reporter  painting  her  passage.  When  she 
came  armed,  he  had  covered  her  form  with  the  re- 
volver by  the  reflection,  until  it  rested  where  she  dis- 
covered him  waiting  to  shoot,  the  instant  the  assasin's 
will  became  action. 

Leette  came  from  her  room  as  soon  as  she  had  put 
on  her  dress,  handing  her  poniard  to  the  Corporal. 

"  You  have  spared  my  life  twice.  I  will  not  thank 
you.  I  wanted  revenge.  You  are  my  master,  for 
never  before  have  I  held  such  respect  for  you.  Since 
looking  at  your  eye  in  that  glass,  I  feel  no  fear.  I 
will  look  into  the  future  as  steadily.  I  can  die  once  ; 
no  more  :  I  can  look  death  in  the  face  until  it  comes 
a  thousand  times.  James  lyianet,  you  have  taught 
me  to  wait  death  fearlessly ;  in  life  and  death  you  can 
count  on  Leette." 

Sternly  he  replied,  "  I  am  ordered  to  hold  no  com- 
munication with  a  prisoner.  Your  place  is  in  that 
room.     Go !" 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

The  lateness  of  the  hour  interposed  no  obstacle  to 
the  will  of  La  Scheme  :  a  will  that  courted  obstacles, 
grappled,  turned,  twisted  them  over  ;  or,  that  impos- 
sible, examined  them  front,  flank,  and  rear,  never 
hesitating,  never  yielding,  but  surmounting  and  leav- 
ing them  behind  as  trophies  of  his  triumphant  pro- 
gress ;  for  if  unconquered,  they  were  baffled,  so  baf- 
fled as  to  indicate  the  skill  which  propelled  his  plans 
in  spite  of  their  opposition.  Thus  it  was  he  could  di- 
rect Leette,  whose  will  of  impulse  could  not  be  mas- 
tered in  particular  instances ;  causing  him  great  anx- 
iety, compelling  the  formation  of  new  combinations, 
when  she  stubbornly  adhered  to  her  own  independent 
choice.  The  will  of  the  corporal  was  difl'erent  in  the 
respect  that  he  obeyed  duty,  adhering  to  his  own  view 
of  personal  obligation  ;  an  unconquerable  obstacle, 
which  had  it  but  calculated  and  schemed  to  accom- 
plish any  object  with  far  seeing  resolve,  would  have 
been  irresistible.      The  one  was  quiescent,  the  other 


412  COTTON  STEALING. 

active  ;  the  corporal  Avas  true  and  full  of  principle : 
La  Scheme  plausible,  and  careless  of  any  law  of  God 
or  man,  in  performance  or  violation,  success  consecra- 
ting and  ennobling  every  act  of  right  or  wrong. 

The  Adjutant  was  alone  in  his  quarters,  preparing 
for  rest.  La  Scheme  waited  for  no  introduction,  but 
dove  into  the  middle  ol»  his  subject.  In  other  cases 
he  might  have  wandered  around,  waiting  for  his  vic- 
tim to  catch  and  suggest  the  idea  ;  here  there  was  no 
need  :  he  knew  his  man,  believed  him  ready  to  become 
a  tool,  and  needing  only  the  firm  strong  hand  to  push 
him  on.  The  men  who  planned  the  rebellion,  and  in 
general,  men  who  can  plot,  devise,  and  invent,  are 
cool,  calculating  and  treacherous ;  themselves  never 
enter  the  house  of  danger,  but  stand  without  on  the 
threshold :  blind  and  brave  tools  are  selected  and 
pushed  into  the  fire.  Themselves  are  great  Generals, 
who  stand  in  unscorched  command  to  win  laurels  in 
victory,  or  secure  safety  and  immunity  iiji  defeat. 

"  General,  Leette  must  be  saved.  There  is  but 
one  way.  You  must  marry  her,  send  her  beyond  the 
lines,  and  when  the  business  opens  up  again,  your  wife 
will  be  beyond  suspicion." 

'•Me  marry  her  !  That  is  impossible.  I  am  en- 
gaged. " 

"  Break  your  engogement.  Such  things  have  been 
done.  How  many  times  have  you  done  it  ?  I  tell 
you,  General,  your  reputation,  your  character,  your 
fortune  is  in  my  power.  I  can  make  or  break  you. 
I  know  what  use  you  have  made  of  the  General'snam^ 
without   his   knowledge,  and  if  you  should  arrest  me- 


COTTON  STEALING.  413 

or  permit  mc  to  be  arrested,  and  if  you  do  not  devise 
with  me  ways  and  means  of  saving  Leette,  I  will  de- 
nounce you  to  the  General,  have  you  tried  before  a 
military  commission,  where  you  well  know  you  would 
be  found  guilty.  I  would  spend  more  money  than 
you  could, — and  you  would  be  condemned.  I  could 
condemn  the  General .  To  save  himself,  he  would  let 
you  slide.  You  are  not  blind  ;  you,  with  half  an  eye 
can  see  how  he  makes  you  a  scape  goat.  He  will 
never  turn  a  hand  to  save  your  property  when  his  own 
house  is  in  danger  of  fire." 

"Let  us  20  to  the  General  and  talk  it  over  with  him." 
"I  have  just  come  from  the  General.  I  know  all 
he  can  or  will  do ;  it  amounts  to  anything  you  dare 
do.  You  see  the  responsibility.  He  will  do  what- 
ever you  say  must  be  done.  The  less  he  knows  the 
more  irreproachable  will  be  his  reputation  ;  when 
that  is  protected  we  are  safe.  We  must  consider  ev- 
ery plan,  and  adopt  the  most  feasible,  then  go  to  him. 
Leette  must  be  saved.  We  have  no  moment  to  lose. 
That  examination  must  be  prevented,  and  the  corpo- 
ral sent  back  to  his  regiment.  What  will  you  do  ?" 
"I  do  not  know  how  I  can  marry  her." 
"  Do  not  get  angry  at  my  frankness.  I  think 
enough  of  ^ou  to  talk  English.  Listen,  whatever 
may  be  your  conclusion,  I  have  been  over  the  ground ; 
if  you  can  find  a  better  way  of  escape,  tell  me.  At 
present,  hear,  accept  what  I  suggest  at  its  value,  re- 
jecting at  pleasure.  I  desire  to  save  Leette ;  this  is 
my  only  excuse.  She  is  rich  ;  owns  two  plantations 
in  Mississippi   and  one   in   Arkansas,  all  in  her  own 


414  COTTON  STEALING. 

right ;  sho  has  made  money  in  cotton  ;  I  need  not  tell 
you  how  much.  You  also  know  she  can  make  more  ; 
she  knows  the  ropes  and  has  the  inside  track.  Ten 
thousand  bales  will  not  begin  to  cover  your  share,  and 
cotton  will  rise  to  over  a  dollar  before  the  war  is  done  : 
and  in  case  the  war  is  over,  her  husband  will  be  a 
millionaire.  In  the  Confederacy  she  is  all  right  ; — 
and  as  a  Yankee's  wife,  her  husband's  and  her  own 
Unionism  will  save  her  property  from  confiscation. 
So  much  for  that :  now  for  her  rival. 

"  I  am  somewhat  of  a  judge  of  women,  and  I  tell 
you,  Greneral,  Miss  Sandison  does  not  love  you,  and 
you  know  it.  She  may  think  so,  I  believe  she  tries 
to ;  perhaps,  she  does,  after  a  fashion.  But  you  are 
a  man  of  the  world,  not  to  be  tied  down  to  any  one 
pretty  girl.  She  perceives  this  quality  and  tries  to 
persuade  herself  to  love  as  before,  but  cannot ;  you 
know  it,  and  the  reason.  It  would  not  hurt  her  bad- 
ly to  be  deserted ;  she  would  have  a  crying  spell,  of 
course,  and  would  be  better  afterwards,  ^o  conside- 
ration for  her  feelings  should  restrain  or  hinder  a  mo- 
ment. It  will  be  better  for  her  to  take  the  present 
pang,  than  to  waken  up  by  and  by  and  find  you  do 
not  love  her;  a  thing  sure  to  happen  whei\  she  takes 
the  position  your  right  demands,  and  she  is  not  qual- 
ified to  occupy.  As  for  her  father,  you  are  under  no 
obligations  ;  you  have  made  his  fortune  ;  he  is  in  your 
debt.  The  State  you  came  from  makes  no  diflference, 
for  you  can  go  East  and  make  a  new  home  where  mo- 
ney will  cover  a  multitude  of  sins. 

"jNTow  for  Leette.     A  woman  who  loves,  loves  for- 


COTTON  STEALING.  415 

ever,  through  goofl  and  ill.     Leette  is  this  to  you,  has 
a  passion  that  questions  nothing,  knows  no  barrier, 
but  loves  and  will  die  for  its  object.     Miss   Sandison 
thus   does  not   love  jou,  because   she   does  love  this 
Corporal.     She  is  attracted  to  and  by  him :  is  repel- 
edfrom  and  by  you.  Why  ?  You  knovv  better  than  I. 
Men  marry  for  money ;  fools  for  love.     Money  does 
all  things,  and  none  know  it  better   than  you.     But 
when  you  can  get  not  only  money,  but  love  and  am- 
bition, a  man  ambitious  and  talented  like  you  is  more 
than  fortunate.     You  love  action.  In  place  of  sitting 
down  in  an  unknown  country  village,  living  and  dy- 
ing in   grub-worm-bloated  content,  you   may  have  a 
wife  ambitious  as  yourself,  and  make  an    impression 
on  the  country  to  last  forever,  writing  your  name  on 
the   page   of  the  world's  history.     I'our  money,  her 
money,  your  position  will  make  you    a    Representa- 
tive, a  Senator,  a  Governor  ;  any  office  in  the  gift  of 
the  American   people  can  be  obtained  by  a  judicious 
manipulation  of  the  party  wires.     What  do  they  care 
where  the  dollars  come  from  ?    Whether  from  an  ice 
contract,  a  Surgeon  Geneial's  percentage,  a  Quarter 
master's  stealings,  or  a  General   Commanding's  pri- 
vate pickings  ? 

''  You  know  what  you  receive  when  you  get  Miss 
Sandison.  I  know  one  indispensable,you  do  not,  can- 
not receive, — love.  What  does  Leette  bring  ?  She 
is  handsome,  accomplished,  well  educated^  has  trav- 
eled, is  a  lady,  perfectly  at  home  in  society,  and  she 
loves  you.  Miss  Sandison  is  not  more  than  this  ; — 
whatever   woman  possesses  to   attract   a  man,    that 


416  COTTON    STEALING. 

has  Leette;  and  now,  if  under  circum.>::i!icei 
like  these,  jou  give  up  a  ladj  who  is  attractive  as 
Miss  Sandison  undoubtedly  is,  else,  how  could  she 
have  won  you  ?  What  will  be  the  affection  of  one  who 
owes  you  life  itself ;  who  will  love  with  natural  fer- 
vor enhanced  by  an  imperishable  debt  of  gratitude  ? 
Is  it  not  worth  a  risk  ?  Is  it  not  worth  a  sacrifice  ? — 
can  that  be  called  sacrifice  which  is  given  up  to  attain 
such  a  prize?" 

''Well,  La  Scheme,  what  can  I  do  ?" 

"  I  will  tell  you.  Leette  must  go  out  of  the  lines 
for  the  present.  She  ought  to  form  the  acquaintance 
of  monied  men,  who  can  buy  our  cotton,  who  can 
own  steamboats,  and  do  our  business,  inside  of  the 
lines,  and  manage  all  necessary  transactions  up 
North.  Sandison  has  had  this  in  his  hands,  and  re- 
ceived his  third.  We  can  do  the  work  for  less  money, 
or  rather  I  want  to  stand  in  Sandison's  shoes.  You 
and  the  General  will  take  your  share,  and  whatever 
else  comes,  after  the  expenses  are  paid,  shall  be  di- 
vided between  Leette  and  me.  I  think  the  only  safe 
course  for  her  to  pursue,  is  to  go  Xorth.  While  she 
is  there,  she  can  find  a  home,  and  get  everything 
ready  against  your  return.  Now,  how  to  accom- 
plish this  : 

"  You  have  some  blank  sheets  of  paper,  with  the 
signature  of  General  Solenter  under  the  word  ap- 
proved. Fill  out  a  pass,  or  rather  an  order,  for  Mrs. 
Leette  Hardone  to  go  North  out  of  the  lines  and 
send  her  by  the  first  boat.  Then,  one  of  those  same 
so  filled,  will  send  the  Corporal  back  to  his  regiment 


COTTOX  STEALING.  417 

in  Helena.  I  will  go  Avitli  Lectte,  and  see  her  safe 
cared  for  in  New  York,  finish  some  business  I  have 
there,  and  be  back  before  you  take  Vicksburg." 

*'  I  have  only  one  objection.    AUie — " 

"  There  !"  interrupted  La  Scheme.  "  you  have 
adopted  the  Corporar«s  name.  You  were  accustomed 
to  call  her  Lina." 

With  a  grimace  and  shrug,  which  betokened  an- 
noyance, Charlie  continued:  "Miss  SaAdison  has 
decided  to  go  up  on  the  first  boat,  and  it  wojild  be 
unpleasant,  you  know." 

"  Oh  I  that  is  easily  arranged.  I  will  get  a  min- 
ister, and  have  the  performance  over  in  two  hours. 
I  heard  a  whistle  as  I  came  in,  and  before  long  the 
Clerk  will  report  for  orders.  You  can  take  one  of 
those  same  sheets  approved  in  blank,  put  on  what 
dispatches  are  ready,  and  send  her  whooping." 

*'  That  is  an  idea,  by  gracious  !  I'll  do  it.  I  hear 
them  knocking.  You  go  and  get  Leette  ready.  I 
will  be  there  in  less  than  an  hour.  I  will  tell  them 
I  will  come  on  board  with  despatches  myself." 

La  Scheme  was  prepared  for  every  emergency  ; 
knew  where  to  go  for  a  priest  who  could  obey.  First 
he  went  to  Leette. 

'*  Corporal,"  said  he,  "call  Miss  Leette,  I  come 
from  the  General  with  verbal  orders." 

Manet  replied  :  "  Mr.  La  Scheme,  I  cannot  admit 
you  without  direct  written  orders — " 

"What  is  the  matter,  Kendal?"  asked  Leetto, 
coming  lawlessly  from  her  cell,  in  full  dress." 

"  The  General  has  consented  to  send  you  North, 
27  ^ 


418  COTTON  STEALING. 

on  tne  petition  of  the  Adjutant  General,  who  vouches 
for  your  character,  and  proves  it  by  marrying  yon. 
A  steamboat  has  arrived ;  in  an  hour  you  are  to  be 
read}^  ;  at  that  time  the  Adjutant  General  will  be 
here,  and  a  minister.     Be  ready." 

"  I  am  ready,"  was  her  answer. 

"What  does  this  mean?"  asked  Mr.  Sandison, 
who  came  down  soon  after,  having  been  awakened 
by  the  noise.     "  Has  a  boat  arrived  from,  below  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  and  La  Scheme  has  been  here  with  an 
order  to  Miss  Ledonc  to  be  ready  to  go  North." 

"  Well,  I  am  glad  of  it.  Lina  was  going  by  the 
first  boat  to  get  away  from  that  woman.  Now  I  will 
go  to  sl'^ep  again,  and  wait  for  the  next  boat.  I 
will  not  punish  her,  by  sending  them  together." 
So  saying  the  political  cotton  speculator  went  up 
stairs  again  to  his  sleep. 

From  this  moment  onward  there  was  no  hitch  nor 
interruption.  The  minister  came,  the  Adjutant 
General,  and  La  Scheme.  Leette  had  a  great  heart 
bound  when  she  saw  how  providently  thoughtful  he 
had  been  for  her,  in  bringing  along  her  trunk.  It 
stood  by  the  door,  guarded  by  a  big  negro,  who,  by 
his  faithfulness  to  a  master  denying  him  freedom, 
was  proving  a  capacity  to  honor  and  enjoy  the  same 
should  it  ever  become  his  own.  The  ceremony  was 
brief,  the  Corporal  being  witness,  then  was  handed 
him  the  following  order  : — 

"  Headquarters,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 
"  You  will  permit  Mrs.  Charles  Hardone  to  pass 


COTTON    STEALING.  419 

from  your  custody,  to   take  the  first  boat  for  the 
North. 

^'  By  order  of  A.   S.  Solenter, 

"Brig.  Gen.  Commanding. 
"Chas.  Hardone, 
"  Approved,  Lieut.  &  A.  A.  G. 

"A.  S.  Solenter, 
"Brig.  Gen.  Com.  Post." 

On  another  sheet  was  the  following,  the  headings 
and  signatures  being  the  same : — 

"  On  receipt  of  the  within  you  will  proceed  by  first 
boat  to  Helena,  and  rejoin  your  regiment,  to  take 
part  in  the  expedition  against  Yicksburg. 

"  Chas.  Hardone, 
"  Approved,  Lieut.  &  A.  A.  G. 

"A.  S.  Solenter, 
"  Brig.  Gen.  Com.  Post." 

Feeling  that  his  duty  would  not  be  done  until  he 
had  seen  his  prisoner  safe  upon  the  boat,  he  follow- 
ed them  down  to  the  gang  plank.  Leette  had  watch- 
ed him,  and  there  she  called  to  him,  took  him  so 
aside  as  to  be  unheard,  and  said : 

"I  hate  you,  James,  but  you  are  honorable,  and 
I  shall  save  your  life  again,  or  my  name  is  not 
Leette." 

Before  she  could  finish,  La  Scheme  had  interfered, 
by  saying  to  the  Adjutant: 


420  COTTON  STEALING. 

"  This  Corporal  seems  bound  to  meddle  in  all  your 
affairs." 

The  Adjutant  stepped  up  to  him,  and  said  : 

"  Corporal,  the  boat  just  below  is  fired  up  for 
Helena.     Go  on  board,  or  you  will  lose  your  chance." 

Within  the  next  half  hour,  both  boats  were  steam- 
ing for  the  opposite  parts  of  the  compass ;  one  for 
God's  country  and  life — the  other  for  rebeldom,  war 
and  death. 


CHAPTER   XXXVIIL 

In  the  city  of  New  York,  on  a  street  conveniently 
near  the  center  of  business,  there  is  a  building  whose 
narrow  front  conveys  to  the  observer  no  idea  what- 
ever of  greater  capacity  than  its  neighbors.  It  has 
an  English  basement,  entered  from  the  pavement, 
under  a  flight  of  stone  steps,  where  large  dining 
halls  and  well-appointed  cooking  apparatus  are  lo- 
cated. The  house  proper  begins  on  the  second  story. 
A  hall,  containing  a  wide  stairway,  and  a  long,  nar- 
row room,  absorb  all  the  street  front.  The  building 
is  deceptive,  expanding,  in  the  rear  to  double  and 
triple  its  external  promise,  opening,  to  the  great 
surprise  of  the  stranger,  upon  a  range  of  lofty  and 
elegant  parlors,  flanked  by  suits  of  anterooms  adapt- 
ed to  the  reception  of  aristocratic  guests.  These 
parlors  are  located  at  the  head  of  the  hall  stairway, 
apparently  on  the  second  story,  really  in  the  third, 
and  most  efi"ectually  removed  from  any  observation  of 
the  street.  This  dwelling,  secured  by  La  Scheme, 
was  occupied  by  Madame  Leette  Hardone,  wife  of  a 
Union  A.  A.  General,  and  therefore  above  suspicion, 
whose  fashionable  elegance,  wealth,  beauty,  and  ex- 


422  COTTON  STEALING. 

pensive  entertainments  rendered  her  dwelling  a  fa- 
vorite resort. 

Here  were  accustomed  to  assemble  the  underground 
leaders  in  that  Northern  conspiracy,  which  only  fail- 
ed to  succeed,  by  how  little,  eternity  alone  can  tell. 
No  uninitiated  person,  entering  the  gay  and  fes- 
tive company,  which  never  failed  to  gather  every 
night,  would  or  could  have  imagined  treason,  criminal 
as  that  of  Jeff.  Davis,  stratagem  more  subtle,  mask- 
ed beneath  the  bright  fascination  of  this  pleasurable 
gathering  ;  although  the  tone  of  sentiment  was  not 
patriotic  and  the  songs  were  tainted  with  rebellion. 
The  lausfh  and  songr  were  loudest,  the  wine  flowed 
fastest,  and  mirth  was  most  jubilant,  when  the  bul- 
letin announced  national  defeat. 

Madame  Leette  Hardone  hoarded  here,  occupying 
a  suit  of  rooms  on  the  main  floor,  directly  in  the 
rear  of  the  library,  which  belonged  to  La  Scheme. 
This  library  was  a  peculiar  institution  ;  like  the 
reading  room  in  an  Exchange,  in  its  assortment  of 
newspapers  from  every  part  of  the  country  and  Eu- 
rope. It  had  its  music,  and  its  art ;  pictures  to 
take  the  eye,  a  piano  for  the  ear — where  some  per- 
former constantly  afforded  a  pleasing  distraction 
should  any  two  individuals  become  too  earnestly  en- 
gaged in  conversation.  Books  filled  the  shelves  ; 
those  best  adapted  to  please  a  general  reader,  stan- 
dard works  of  the  best  historians  and  novelists,  with 
a  fair  sprinkling  of  that  durable  binding  which  tells 
of  skill  in  law.  A  door,  which  closed  itself,  led  out 
of  this  room  into  another.     A    door   with   a   spring 


COTTON  STEALING.  423 

latch — a  door  wKich  never  opened  without  showing  a 
magnificent,  canopied,  mahogany,  French  bedstead, 
suggesting  privacy  and  forbidding  any  uninvited  vis- 
itors. Behind  this  door  was  a  desk  ;  at  this  desk  La 
Scheme  wrote,  consulted  and  managed  the  varied 
details  of  his  business,  connected  with  the  next  elec- 
tion. By  the  side  of  this  desk  another  door,  locked 
and  forbidden  :  it  communicated  with  Madame  Har- 
done's  sleeping  room.  This  door  was  opened  on  oc- 
casion, when  such  secrecy  was  thought  necessary  as 
to  forbid  the  knowledge  of  communication  even  from 
the  trusted  inmates  of  the  house. 

La  Scheme  did  not  take  residence  in  New  York 
city.  Business — the  organization  of  secret  societies 
— led  him  to  every  state  and  city  of  the  Union  ;  nor 
was  he  so  unskillful  as  to  declare  himself  or  his  ob- 
ject, he  only  sought  to  know  whom  he  could  trust, 
knowing  he  could  trust  but  few.  At  times  he  would 
visit  a  city  to  listen  to  the  strong  denunciations  of 
Union  men  ;  a  most  certain  way  to  inform  who  were 
proper  tools,  subsequent  organization  was  confided 
to  other  hands.  The  genius  of  La  Scheme  was  w^on- 
derful  ;  it  grappled  treasonable  souls,  used  their  own 
treason,  drew  from  them  the  earliest  suggestion  of 
resistance  to  the  national  Government,  and  thence- 
forward seemed  but  their  tool.  Nor  was  he  in  the 
North  alone.  His  brain  was  one  vast  system,  which 
could,  like  tlie  blind  chess  player,  remember  every 
move  played  against  himself  by  dozens  of  chess  an- 
tagonists, on  different  boards,  in  different  rooms, 
and  resume  at  any  moment  the  game  where  broken 


424  COTTON  STEALING. 

off.  In  returning  to  Memphis,  he  visited  Albany, 
Buffalo,  Clifton,  (Canada,)  Detroit,  Chicago,  St. 
Louis,  and  Cairo  ;  on  his  return,  bringing  reports 
from  the  whole  South  and  money  from  every  agent 
he  had  engaged  in  his  great  scheme,  his  path  led  an- 
other route,  via  Indianapolis  and  Cincinnati,  Phila- 
delphia, Baltimore  and  Washington.  He  resembled 
those  house-wives  Avhose  habits  are  so  well  formed, 
that,  in  passing  through  a  room  once,  the  whole  is 
set  in  order  :  in  going  up  stairs  for  their  work,  they 
do  not  have  to  go  again  for  thimble  or  spool, — their 
work-basket  always  .provided,  for  they  never  forget 
that  spool  of  'No.  100  Coats'  thread  they  intended  to 
get  when  they  went  dgwn  town. 

Without  naming  the  particular  day,  save  to  say 
the  month  of  October  or  November,  in  the  year  1863, 
La  Scheme,  wth  his  pass  key,  opened  Leette's  door, 
for  a  private  interview.     She  said  to  him  : 

''  Ah  !  it  is  you  !  is  it !  What  do  you  want  now  ?" 
"  You  must  go  South  immediately." 
"You  forget,  my  dear  sir,  that  you  are  not  my 
'husband,  and  you  very  well  know  the  General  has 
resigned  and  expects  to  find  his  wife  in  New  York, 
as  soon  as  he  can  reach  home.  Home  !  I  hate  that 
word.  I  have  no  home  while  the  Yankees  invade 
my  native  State.  It  may  be  he  will  make  this 
home." 

"  Your  happiness  need  not  be  disturbed,  for  he 
must  go  with  you,  and  your  home  may  be  South.  I 
wish  you  joy  in  your  wedded  bliss." 

Leette   uttered   a  profane  word,  with  which  this 


COTTON    STEALING.  425 

page  shall  not  be  sullied,   and  said  : 

"I  wiirnot  go.  I  hate  him.  I  will  never  be  his 
wife.  The  mean  wretch!  I  shall  tell  him  plain 
truths,  when  he  comes  to  me." 

"Do  not  go  too  far  !  Do  not  overshoot !  You  may 
hit  adamant,  and  be  killed  by  the  rebound  of  your 
own  ball.    You  borrow  trouble  before  trouble  comes." 

"La  Scheme,  what  are  you  doing?  I  am  dis- 
gusted with  this  miserable  life  among  cowardly  friends: 
I  hate  these  black  abolitionists,  but  I  hate  more  these 
mercenary  males  and  females,  neither  one  thing  or 
the  other,  whom  you  have  drawn  around  me  here  in 
New  York  ;  and  I  am  one  eternal  lie  from  daylight 
till  dark,  from  dark  until  dawn.  I  will  endure  no 
longer.  I  have  decided  to  go  to  England,  where  I 
can  be  free.  At  Paris  I  can  live  a  gay,  untram- 
meled  life,  associated  with  counts  and  kings,  nor  see 
a  single  mean  Yankee  to  drive  me  mad.  I  remain 
here  simply  on  account  of  my  oath.  Oh  !  if  Janie 
were  alive  !  If  I  could  only  do  something !  I  would 
love  to  risk  my  life  on  a  raid  for  quinine  !  You  keep 
me  here,  shut  up,  tied, — a  mere  doll  baby.  I  am 
sick,  tired  of  this  life.  I  want  action  :  to  live  where 
I  can  breathe  freely — in  England  or  France.  I  do 
not  accomplish  anything.     I  would  rather  die  !" 

"  Have  I  not  told  you,  Leette,  that  you  were  do- 
ing an  invaluable  work  here — to-day  deceiving  the 
Yanks  and  making  friends  for  the  South  ;  that  I 
could  not  get  on  without  you ;  that  you  exert  an  in- 
fluence for  our  cause  in  New  York  of  greater  value 
than  two-thirds  of  all  the  cavalry  raids  since  the  wax 


426  COTTON  STEALING. 

began  ?  Where  is  your  patience  ?  No  matter. — 
There  is  work,  active  work,  now,  for  you.  Will 
you  do  it  ?" 

"  No,  I  will  do  nothing.  I  have  worked  in  the 
dark  long  enough.  You  are  perfectly  unreliable.  I 
have  no  confidence  whatever  in  your  faith,  nor  your 
word.  You  promised  to  be  here  a  week  ago.  The 
time  before  this,  you  exceeded  your  covenanted  re- 
turn so  much  that  I  lost  courage,  and  the  oppor- 
tunity of  making  ten  thousand  dollars.  Even  now, 
to-day,  I  am  loosing  by  your  delay." 

"Why  do  you  not  use  Longcheat?" 

"Use  Longcheat  !  Use  a  thief!" 

"  Then,"  said  La  Scheme,  "  I  am  necessary  to 
you." 

"  Yes,  until  I  can  make  a  tool  of  some  other  one. 
Let  me  think  :  perhaps  I  may  endure  my — bnh  ! — 
Well,   Charlie  may  be  useful  after  all." 

"  He  will  be  useful.  You  nor  I  can  afford  to  give 
him  up.     He  is  your  husband,  and  you  are  his  wife-" 

"Blessed  privilege  I"  broke  in 'Leette.  "I  do 
value  it.  I  wish — yes,  how  I  do  wish,  a  stray  bullet 
might  hunt  his  heart  before  he  leaves  New  Orleans  ! 
I  would  wear  colors  for  joy." 

"  Madame  Hardone,  I  am  displeased  with  you." 

"  What  if  you  are  !  It  is  not  so  near  a  first  time 
as  to  terrify  me.  What,  do  you  want?  You  never 
come  here  unless  there  is  something — some  little, 
contemptible  thing — for  me  to  do.  Oh  !  if  i'w^s  a 
man  !" 

"  You  could  not  have  saved  Vicksburg,    nor  res- 


COTTON  STEALING.  427 

cued  Port  Hudson.  You  would  only  be  a  single 
man.  Suppose  you  were  Beauregard  or  Johnston, 
would  you  chafe  less  at  the  causeless  enmity  and 
opposition  theympet  from  our  own  side,  their  best 
friends  ?  No,  Leette  ;  here  at  the  North  you  are 
doing  more  for  the  South  than  any  General  at  home 
in  the  Confederacy.  Only  follow  ray  direction,  and 
you  shall  be  more  serviceable  than  the  President  him- 
self. Be  patient,  and  wait,  as  does  our  brave  and 
noble  Lee.  Hold  on,  and  soon  you,  with  them,  shall 
win  the  victory.  But,  let  me  tell  you,  if  we  fail, 
you  and  I,  and  our  friends  here,  that  the  Confed- 
eracy is  done  for,  our  States  are  conquered,  the 
slaves  are  free,  and  we  are  slaves." 

"  I  do  not  believe  you.  What  am  I  doing?  What 
can  I  do  ?  I  did  more  when  I  was  in  the  lines. — 
There  was  some  excitement  there." 

"  Leette,  to  what  end  is  this  opposition  ?  Why 
are  you  perverse?" 

"  Ls  ignorance  perverseness  ?  When  have  I  ever 
refused  any  reasonable  requirement  ?  Tell  me  what 
are  your  commands." 

"  I  want  twenty  millions  of  dollars.  With  this 
Bum  I  can  ca.rry  the  next  election  ;  put  in  Washing- 
ton a  peace  President,  who  will  give  us  time  and  a 
peaceable  separation." 

"  You  cannot  do  it,  Kendal.     It  is  impossible  1" 

''I  can.  I  have  learned  and  know  it,  not  only  pos- 
sible, but  feasible,  probable  and  certain.  While  you 
have  been  here,  ill  at  ease  from  my  absence,  I  have 
tested   the  whole  North,  and  know  the  price  of  every 


428  COTTON   STEALING. 

leading  politician.  I  do  not  now  include  our  own 
friends,  the  true,  unwavering  Democrats  of  the  North. 
The  politicians,  who  encouraged  us  in  the  first  act  of 
secession,  are  our  friends  and  can  be  relied  on.  There 
are  others,  more  than  a  few,  who  are  unaproachable. 
I  do  not  care  for  them.  A  sufficient  number  of  pro- 
fessed radical  Republicans  can  be  bought  out  right. 
A  larger  number  will  slowly  yield  when  we  have 
started  the  current.  I  know  they  are  already  joining 
us,  and  the  current  will  be  overwhelming.  I  have 
the  names  of  those  who  are  reputed  to  be  strong  friends 
of  the  administration,  who  can  be  made  bitter  foes  ; 
and  there  are  some  of  the  most  distinguished  and  in- 
fluential Republicans,  who  are  not  yet  prepared  to 
accept  the  logic  of  the  abolition  idea.  These,  men 
will  readily  go  on  the  other  side  whenever  they  can  do 
so  with  consistency.  Some  of  them  have  made  ad- 
vances already.     Money,  money,  oh,  for  money  !" 

^'  This  may  all  seem  plain  to  you.  It  is  midnight 
to  me.  You  told  me  this  same  thing  when  we  came 
North,  and  now  all  you  have  done  is  to  spend  the  Con- 
federate money,  and  speculate  in  gold  and  stocks 
with  our  own.  We  have  increased  our  wealth,  but 
this  discourages  me.  I  see  money  in  profusion  dis- 
pensed by  the  Government  among  all  its  creatures, 
and  the  people  not  only  do  not  object, but  encourage 
this  expenditure.  They  were  never  more  prosperous, 
and  make  more  money  and  spend  more  than  they  ev- 
er could  had  there  been  no  war.  Politicians,  upon 
whom  yoii  so  much  rely,  seem  to  me  the  best  satisfied 
with  this   state  of   afi"airs,  and  would  rather  continue 


COTTON    STEALING.  429 

the  war  than  put  it  to  an  end.  You  must  make  me 
comprehend  not  only  your  plan,  but  satisfy  my  judg- 
ment of  its  feasibility." 

"Willingly.  Leette,  before  I  begin,  permit  me  to 
kindly  remonstrate  against  your  perverse  opposition 
to  me,  this  mixture  of  love  and  hate.  Can  you  not 
perceive  how  impossible  it  is  for  me  to  remain  in  New 
York  ?  But  no,  you  do  not,  cannot  understand  until 
I  speak  more  minutely  of  my  past  work,  and  what  I 
have  still  before  me.  ^ 

"  First,  the  money  in  circulation,  of  which  the 
people  have  so  much,  which  they  spend  so  freely,  is  a 
mere  paper  promise  to  pay,  and  can  be  repudiated  at 
any  moment.  A  reason,  a  very  good  reason  for  its 
extensive  circulation,  is  the  lack  of  confidence  in  its 
permanence,  which  impels  those  who  hold,  to  rid 
themselves  of  it  as  soon  as  possible.  With  greenbacks 
they  pay  their  debts  contracted  in  coin  ;  and  they  buy 
lands  whose  value  is  permanent  like  coin  ;  or  they  in- 
vest in  stocks  of  railroads  and  mines,  which,  though 
they  fluctuate,  have  a  coin  value.  Your  eyes  are 
blind  not  to  perceive  in  this  external  prosperity,  real 
destruction.  'All  able  financiers  are  posted.  This  is 
the  reason  I  advised  you  to  speculate  in  gold.  You 
have  been  successful.  The  ten  thousand  you  refer  to 
is  a  mere  bagatelle.  You  have  lost  nothing.  Invest 
to-morrow,  and  you  will  make  more  money.  Hold 
all  the  gold  you  now  have  for  six  months,  and  you 
will  triple  your  investment.  This  influx  of  paper, 
this  inflation  of  the  market,  only  precedes  dissolution, 
and  is,  to  my  mind,  the  most  valuable  indication  of  our 


430  COTTON  STEALING. 

success.     Still,  I  know  you  will  not  be  satisfied  with 
this  alone.     Listen  then  to  my  report. 

"Fwent  to  Albaiw,  and  found  things  prepared,  as 
I  had  been  promised  they  should.  I  did  not  act  my- 
self, but  had  posted  thoroughly  a  smart  young  law- 
yer, whom  I  paid  a  thousand  dollars  to  do  the  talk- 
ing. He  did  the  business  well  and  was  successful. — 
Before  you,  who  know  my  design,  no  concealment  is 
required,  and  a  few  brief  words  will  suffice  to  state 
his  argument. 

"The  Emancipation  proclamation  makes  the  negro 
and  white  man  equal.  The  slave,  no  more  a  slave, 
and  entitled  to  trial  by  jury  can  talk  hack.  What 
white  man,  that  is  a  white  man,  Avill  ever  stand  a  nig- 
ger's lip  !  If  you  call  a  nigger  a  man,  he  is  entitled 
to  the  rights  of  a  man  :  personal  security  and  personal 
property,  equal  rights  to  education,  to  self-posses- 
sion, and  family  possession ;  to  personal  wealth,  and 
the  right  to  govern  his  family  and  his  property  ;  from 
which  proceeds  the  right  to  vote  upon  all  questions 
which  involve  his  pecuniary,  personal  or  family  influ- 
ence, all  of  which  united,  make  him  a  free  American 
citizen. 

"Leette,  the  Black  Republican  could  not  stand 
that.  He  was  too  much  of  an  aristocrat  to  endure  the 
idea  of  a  nigger  equal,  a  nigger  voter,  a  nigger  sena- 
tor, a  nigger  governor,  a  nigger  president,  and  he  fell 
into  the  trap  I  set  for  him.  He  is  all  right  now.  He 
belongs  to  the  select  few  who  were  born  to  rule  the 
world.  Already  he  has  done  his  share  of  governing, 
and  by  means  of  the  various  strings  at  his  command, 


COTTON   STEALING.  431 

makes  white  men  his  shives.  The  mudsills  of  the 
North  look  up  to  liim,  bow  down  before  hia  throne 
and  Worship,  ami  were  he  only  South,  had  he  been 
born  South,  he  would  be  as  great  an  autocrat  as  could 
be  desired.     lie  is  just  like  ourselves. 

''I  have  been  at  Buffalo.  I  have  been  in  Ohio. 
The  men  with  whom  I  have  consulted  are  sure  of  suc- 
cess. So  too  am  I,  for  Ave  are  built  on  eternal  prin- 
ciple, and  there  is  no  logical  principle  diffused  through 
the  masses  of  the  North  upon  which  the  Republican 
party  bases  its  actions.  Very  few  even  of  the  leading 
thinkers  have  adopted  any  theory  which  is  based  on 
eternal  truth,  like  ours,  in  which  God  is  the  Master, 
and  Creation  the  slave,  in  which  star  governs  star  of 
lower  magnitude,  and  Cherubim,  Seraph,  Arch-angel 
and  angel  govern  those  who  are  below  them.  The 
principle  of  slavery  is  the  God-given  principle  of  the 
universe,  and  we  must  succeed  because  failure  is  i^-. 
possible.  They  iSght  for  the  Union, — .^o  do  wc,.*Our' 
united  aristocratic  Confederacy. 

"  In  this  united  Confederacy,  these  men,  possessors 
of  great  influence,  will  join  us,  but  we  must  pay  them 
for  the  influence  by  which  they  command  franchises  and 
accumulate  their  wealth.  At  present,  these  fran- 
chises, their  wealth  is  at  the  disposition  of  the  Black 
Republican  idea,  and  it  becomes  necessary  for  us  to 
mould  the  opinion  of  the  country,  so  as  to  direct  their 
power  into  the  new  channel.  We  must  pay  them  a 
price  which  will  make  it  an  object  for  them  to  change 
and  bias  the  country  by  their  independent  and  pon- 
derous influence.    We   must   have  money.     Twenty 


432  ,  COTTOX  STEALING. 

millions  will  do  the  work.  Twenty  millions  will  not 
only  supply  our  friends  with  the  sinews  of  war,  but 
buy  all  the  influence  we  need.  There  are  cheap  men 
whose  influence  can  easily  be  obtained  ;  five  or  six 
millions  well  spent  in  Washington  will  not  only  keep 
in  our  hands  the  key  of  every  department,  but  employ 
and  protect  in  the  Cabinet  itself,  a  politician  who  will 
obey  our  every  direction." 

''  Kendal,  what  a  man  you  are  !" 
"Why  then  distrust  me,  Leette?" 
"  Because  I  am  a  woman  and  need  love." 
"Love!  weakness!  no  love  now.     I  want  no  love 
to  interfere  in   my  plans.     My   ambition  is  too  high. 
Why  was  I  not  in  the  place  of  Jeff.  Davis  ?    The  d — d 
fool !     If  I  had  the  reins    1  would    conquer  without 
another  battle.     Even  if  the  Confederacy  should  fail 
under  his  direction,  I  should   not  lose   hope ;  for  out 
of  the   wreck   could  elements  of  success  be  gathered 
which  will  restore  the  principle  of  sovereignty,  the 
principle  of  slavery  and  create  the  new  empire.  Leette 
can  you  not  rise  above  humanity,  above  the  mere  wo- 
man, and  be  a  God  ?" 

"  I  can,  Kendal,  I  can.     Tell  me  what  to  do." 
"  There  are  a  million  bales  of  cotton  up   the  Red 
River.     General  Solenter  is  in  town.     Your  husband 
will  soon  be  here.     Plan  a  Red  River  expedition." 
He  paused.     She  was  silent.     Then  he  asked, — 
"Do  you  understand  me  ?" 
She  answered  him  thoughtfully,  "  Yes." 
"  Will  you  undertake  it  ?" 

With  the  same  deliberation  as  before  she  answered, 
"Yes." 


COTTON    STEALING.  433 

He  took  her  liantl,  drew  lier  to  him  and  put  a  kiss 
on  lier  forehead,  saying, 

"  Success.  When  shall  I  introduce  General  Sc- 
ienter ?" 

Abstractedly  as  if  her  mind  had  gone  from  her  bo- 
dy, pondering  that  which  was  before  her,  she  answer- 
ed,— 

"Bring  him  to-night.     I  am  ready." 

Then  she  put  her  arms  about  La  Scheme,  as  a 
mother  might  grasp  her  boy  going  into  battle,  put  him 
away  without  a  tear,  but  a  sigh  which  was  between  a 
sigh  and  a  groan. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX.   . 

La  Scheme  left  Leette  to  form  her  plans.  By 
simply  saying  the  word  Red  River,  the  subject  pre- 
sented itself  before  a  strong,  active  mindj  and  he 
could  safely  wait  while  it  was  revolving  itself.  The 
fact  of  confidence,  such  confidence  would  stimulate 
Leette  to  profound  thought,  and  even  to  originate  a 
plan  better  than  his  own.  La  Scheme  had  learned 
this  most  difficult  lesson  for  a  strong  mind  :  to  permit 
other  strong  minds  which  he  must  use,  to  follow  their 
own,  not  his  preconceived  path  in  reaching  the  goal, 
— the  victory  being  his  object,  regardless  of  anything 
else.  But  he  did  not  design  to  leave  Leette  uncon- 
trolled. He  knew  her  impulses  were  not  absolutely 
reliable,  and  left  her  to  follow  them  so  long,  and 
only  so  long,  as  pleased  his  purpose.  La  Scheme 
sought  his  spy. 

The  lady  who  told  Leette  Ledonc,  when  she  came 
to  Memphis,  that  she  was  to  be  the  wife  of  La 
Scheme,  is  also  a  member  of  this  household  ;  faithful 


COTTON  STEALING.  435 

bj  her  oath,  faithful  by  her  love,  faithful  by  her 
jealousy.  The  matchless  La  Scheme  convinced  her 
of  his  devotion,  by  his  manner  and  his  kind  treat- 
ment, and  proved  his  disregard  for  Leette  by  giving 
her  the  name  of  Madame  Hardone.  It  was  necessary, 
however,  to  satisfy  Leette,  and  between  a  natural 
wickedness,  which  delighted  in  making  two  females 
uncomfortable,  and  absorption  in  work,  he  aroused 
the  passion  of  jealousy,  which  watched  Leette,  morn- 
ing, noon,  and  night. 

As  soon  as  his  interview  with  one  was  over.  La 
Scheme  sought  the  other  ;  unless  the  object  could  be 
better  attained  by  absence.  To-day  he  went  du'ectly 
to  her  private  room,  took  his  accustomed  chair, — one 
presented  by  himself  because  convenient  for  two, — 
and  called  her  to  his  usual  place  when  with  him.  He 
used  a  word  with  which  Leette  had  been  familiar. 

"  DarUng,  I  am  tired.  I  wish  to  rest  a  few  mo- 
ments, and  have  come  to  you.  I  do  wish  war  was 
over  so  we  could  have  a  home." 

"  Has  anything  gone  wrong,  Kendal  ?" 

"  No.  On  the  contrary,  everything  prospers  too 
well,  so  that  I  anticipate  some  drawback.  This 
makes  me  doubly  anxious  for  the  fate  of  this  eve- 
ning." 

^' Why  is  this  evening  so  important?" 

"Leette  !" 

"  What  of  Le%tte  ?" 

"  I  expect  the  Federal  General,  Solenter,  and — 
You  know  wliat  Leette  is  ;  she  may  forget  her  obli- 
gations and  make  mischief." 


436  COTTON  STEALING. 

''  Why  do  you  trust  her?  I  do  not  need  watch- 
ing ;  you  confide  in  me." 

"  It  is  too  late  now.  Besides  she  has  had  dealings 
with  the  General.  I  do  not  believe  she  will  so  far 
forget  herself  as  to  drag  up  by-gones.  At  any  rate 
I  shall  be  with  them  part  of  the  time.  Will  you 
keep  particular  watch  for  me  to-night,  and  let  me 
know  instantly  should  anything  occur  ?" 

''  You  cannot  doubt  it,   Kendal !" 

"  No,  oh  no  !  I  only  asked  because  I  appreciate 
how  much  you  are  doing.  I  see  how  weary  you 
often  look,  and  I  would  not  think  of  increasing  your 
many  cares,  were  I  not  well  assured  of  your  love  of 
our  cause." 

*'  Sometimes,  dear  Kendal,  I  do  become  discour- 
aged and  disheartened,  but  never  when  you  are  kind 
If  you  were  always  as  now,  I  should  never  have  a 
dark  day." 

"  Woman,  woman !  nothing  but  a  woman  after 
all.  I  ought  not  to  expect  so  much  from  your  sex. 
I  thought  you  could  comprehend  my  task  and  the 
constant  mask  I  must  make  of  my  countenance. — 
Believe  me,  my  heart  is  unchanged  !  No  matter 
what  my  actions  may  seem  to  say,  heed  them  not  ! 
When  my  words  are  cruel,  forget  them.  You  know 
me  ;  like  myself,  you  are  in  an  enemy's  country.  I 
never  doubt  you.  Give  me  the  same  trust.  Confide 
in  my  honor  and  truth." 

''I  will."  * 

"  I  knew  you  would,   darling." 

There  is  no  need  to  follow  this  interview,  for  this 


COTTON    STEALINO.  437 

book  has  failed  utterly,  if  the  politician  La  Scheme 
has  not  a  clearly  delineated  character.  Nor  will  any 
time  be  occupied  in  a  description  of  Leette's  draw- 
ing-rooms and  parlors,  the  company,  the  music,  the 
dance  or  the  supper.  General  Solenter  was  there  ; 
and  with  him,  and  the  Red  River  expedition,  as  con- 
nected with  cotton,  we  have  only  to  do. 

When  the  grand  entertainment  was  over,  and  the 
hour  for  guests  to  begin  to  think  of  home  was  at 
hand,  Leette  invited  the  General  to  a  private  tete- 
a-tete. 

Again,  as  once  before,  the  General  commenced  his 
conversation  by  saying:  "This  is  magnificent!" — 
Well  might  he  say  so  !  The  floor  was  carpeted  with 
softest  Wilton.  The  center  table  was  of  rose  wood  ; 
and  now  its  marble  top  was  set  with  a  delicate  col- 
lation, arranged  in  silver — fruit,  cakes  and  wine. 
There  was  only  one  window.  This  extended  across 
an  end  of  the  room,  which  was  heavily  draped  with 
velvet  damask,  at  this  time  looped  on  one  side,  so  as 
to  discover  a  large  bay-window,  filled  with  tropical 
plants,  whose  fragrance  filled  the  room.  The  most' 
conspicuous  among  them  were  two  trees,  an  Orange 
and  Lemon,  adorned  with  buds  and  fruit,  also  a 
White  Cape  Jessamine  and  an  Oleander,  so  covered 
with  blossoms  as  to  transport  the  mind  to  the  sunny 
South.  Between  the  drooping  folds,  which  rested 
against  the  snow-white  curtains  of  delicate  op^n 
work,  hung  a  silver  cage,  in  which  a  Southern  mock- 
ing bird  sang  its  tempest  of  melody.  It  is  not  often 
that  birds  sing  out   of,  season,  but  the  room  had  a 


438  COTTON  STEALING. 

strange,  soft  beauty  to-night,  Avliich  affected  even 
bird  nature ;  for  the  jets  of  the  gas  chandelier  had 
been  curtained  by  alabaster  shades,  lending  an  at- 
mosphere of  enchantment,  which  drew  a  soft,  deep, 
canary  song  from  the  bird's  throat,  swelling  into  tri- 
umph, until  it  mingled  with  the  distant  band,  as 
Leette  opened  the  door,  and  it  died  away,  when  Gen- 
eral Solenter  sat  down  and  gazed  at  the  luxurious 
exhibition  of  Leette's  taste. 

Leette  had  invited  him  to  sit  down  in  one  of  those 
modern  inventions,  which  refuse  to  admit  a  third  to 
separate  two  intimate  friends :  invented  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  that  song  which  sings,  "  Thou  art  so  near, 
and  yet  so  far."  She  took  the  other  seat,  and  doing 
so  pointed  to  an  Armenian  hookah  with  its  long,  snaky 
stem  and  amber  mouth  piece,  waiting  for  use,  and  said, 

"  Imao^ine  me  your  Circassian  attendant  and  permit 
me  to  fill  the  bowl  with  genuine  Turkish  tobacco  and 
hght  it  for  you.  I  love  the  smell  of  fragrant  smoke, 
and  this  is  doubly  pleasant  since  it  passes  through  ice 
cool  rose-water." 

She  did  not  wait  for  a  reply,  but  proceeded  to  per- 
form the  office.  While  doing  it.  La  Scheme  knock- 
ed. Leette  expected  him,  and  without  leaving  the 
pipe  said,  "  Come  in."  When  charged  and  lighted, 
she  turned,  and  with  admirable  deceit,  said, 

"  I  did  not  anticipate  this  honor.  Please  be  seated." 

He  took  an  easy  chair.  She  brought  him  a  box  of 
cigars  This  chair  had  been  placed  opposite  the  Gen- 
eral, and  Leette  said, 

"  Mr.  La  Scheme,  you  havg  my  chair.     But  if  Gen- 


COTTON    STEALING.  439 

eral  Solentcr  will  permit  me,  1  Avill  take  the  unoccu- 
pied seat  by  his  side,  and  we  will  all  be  accomodated. 
I  shall  have  to  depend  on  you,  Mr.  La  Scheme,  to  do 
the  honors." 

''Certainly,"  said  both  gentlemen.  One  making 
room  for  Leette :  the  other  pushing  the  table  between 
the  couple,  and  himself  drawing  up  opposite.  There 
was  a  moment's  pause  and  the  General  spoke, 

"  I  have  always  felt  there  was  some  excuse  due  you 
for  that  affair  at  Memphis.  The  truth  was,  I  was 
under  obligations  to  Sandison  for  some  favors,  and  he 
also  was  concerned  in  our  cotton  business.  But  then, 
YOU  must  acknowledge,  the  circumstances  were  very 
much  against  you.  However,  it  has  all  come  out 
riirht.     All  is  well  that  ends  well." 

"  Yes.  Bygones  let  them  remain  bygones.  You 
and  I,  Greneral,  buried  those  memories  long  ago,  as  I 
have  reason  to  know ;  and  Leette,  by  her  escape  and 
long  residence  at  the  North,  has  wiped  out  every 
stain  on  her  character,  has  she  not?" 

"  To  be  sure.  The  mere  fact  that  she  was  the  wife 
of  our  Adjutant  was'sufficient.  By  the  way,  that  was 
a  smart  dodge  of  yours.  I  do  not  know  which  to 
attribute  it  to.  Miss  Leette  deserved  her  escape,  and 
I  am  glad  she  was  so  successful.  I  notice  you  con- 
tinue to  use  the  Adjutant's  name,  though  he  denies 
having  ever  done  anything  but  permit  you  to  use  it. 
However,  he  is  now  free,  for  his  intended  is  dead,  and 
he  can  now  have  the  opportunity  of  marrying  you  in 
earnest." 

"  Dead!  Allie  dead.  I  thought  so."    Leette  seem- 


440  COTTON   STEALING. 

ed  to  the  General  to  be  grieved ;  on  the  contrary,  she 
was  glad.  Hatred  toward  a  rival,  rejoiced  in  this  re- 
sult, and  now  she  could  think  of  the  Corporal  as  suf- 
fering. His  rejection  of  her  love  had  wounded  her 
pride  more  than  the  injiyies  of  La  Scheme.  This, 
then  was  complete  and  one  war  was  at  an  end.  So- 
lenter  continued : 

"Yes.  I  am  sure  of  it.  The  last  I  heard  she  was 
dying.  She  had  not  been  expected  to  live  for  some 
time.  That  corporal  was  mixed  up  in  it.  You  know 
that  the  Adjutant  denied  the  fact  of  his  marriage  to 
Leette  here,  and  we  did  not  any  of  us  believe  it,  ex- 
cept, you  know,  as — a  mere — a  mere —  You  under- 
stand, a  form.  But  Manet  said  something  which  did 
the  business." 

"I  am  o-lad  of  it,"  said  La  Scheme.  "  You  now 
see,  Leette,  that  I  was  right.  All  I  ever  told  you  has 
transpired." 

"  I  am  glad,  now  I  am  vindicated.  G-eneral,  you 
can  no  longer  doubt  me.  Oh,  if  I  could  only  have 
shown  you  at  that  time,  it  would  not  have  cost  me  so 
much  suffering.  Only  to  think,  that  those  who  wish- 
ed, who  plotted  to  injure  me,  should  have  been  instru- 
ments to  work  their  own  destruction!" 

"Let  it  go,"  said  La  Scheme.  "  The  past  is  buried. 
General,  take  some  of  this  wine.  You  will  find  it 
equal  to  any  we  had  at  Vicksburg.  Those  were  rough 
days  in  the  trenches." 

The  General  filled  his  glass  and  emptied  it  at  a 
draught,  and  La  Scheme  immediately  filled  it  again. 
He  took  and  drank  again.     Already,  the  General  had 


COTTON  STEALTXa.  441 

been  drinking  freely  at  the  public  tables,  and  it  was 
when  his  manner  gave  signs  of  weakness,  that  Leette 
took  him  to  her  room  for  this  private  reception. 

''  Yes,  I  prefer  this  to  being  under  fire.  Those," 
pointing  at  Leette's  eyes,  "  may  be  a  dangerous  bat- 
tery. I  cannot  see  it."  He  did  not  see  a  whole  Red 
River  expedition,  a  defeat,  with  a  wagon  train  left  on 
the  field,  and  hundreds  of  soldiers  slain,  and  also 
thousands  wounded  and  murdered  by  the  exposure 
which  drained  their  life,  drop  by  drop,  in  the  hospital. 
He  only  saw  in  those  eyes,  in  that  dress,  a  display  of 
passion,  which  the  figures  in  alabaster  typified.  He 
was  sufficiently  beyond  restraint  to  put  his  hand  on 
her  shoulder,  where  she  permitted  it  to  remain.  ''  I 
can  see,"  and  he  closed  his  eyes,  '^  that  two-story  house 
in  front  of  Logan's  division,  where  we  planted  our 
battery  at  last ;  and  remember  my  first  look  at  those 
works,  when  to  show  a  head  was  a  signal  for  a  hun- 
dred rifles  to  crack,  and  those  rebels  were  no  fools  at 
shooting  either.  How  slowly  we  worked  on  !  The 
boys  were  pure  grit,  and  ran  their  parallels,  cut  down 
their  scarps,  and  slowly  worked  up  to  those  works.  I 
wish  Pemberton  had  only  held  ofi"  one  day.  Would'nt 
we  have  gone  in  ?     I  guess  not !" 

Now  this  was  not  pleasant  for  either  Leette  or  La 
Scheme ;  yet  neither  flinched,  in  either  face,  eye,  or 
shoulder.  But  La  Scheme  turned  the  conversation 
thus  :  "  That  was  a  glorious  victory,  and  you  did  not 
make  any  money  out  of  it.  Oh,  no  !  I  saw  some 
pass,  and  if  what  I  hear  is  true,  that  was  nothing. — 
How  was  it,  General?" 


442  COTTON  STEALING. 

"  You  are  an  ignorant  fellow,  La  Scheme  !  What 
made  you  leave  ?  I  had  another  grand  offer,  which 
would  have  been  successful  if  you  had  a  hand  in  it.  I 
told  Charlie  you  never  failed,  but  he  thought  he  could 
work  without  you ;  and  so  when  the  boats  were  up  the 
Yazoo,  and  commenced — just  as  I  expected,  they  were 
fired  into  and  the  cotton  burned.  We  only  lost  ten 
thousand  each.  I  shall  make  it  up  yet.  I  am  going 
to  see  what  can  be  done  about  Red  River.  How  many 
bales  are  there  up  there  ?" 

La  Scheme  winked  atLeette,  answering,  "  I  do  not 
know, — more  than  a  million.  Leette  has  been  talking 
to  me  about  Red  River.  I  will  give  you  permission 
to  talk  to  her.  It  will  be  safer.  That  reminds  me 
that  I  have  some  business  letters  which  must  be  at- 
tended to  before  I  retire.  So,  good  night  and  suc- 
cess."    Thus  saying,  he  left  them  together  alone. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

James  Manet  went  with  the  great  expedition,  was 
one  among  the  thirty  thousand  good  men,  who  made 
the  rank  and  file  of  Sherman's  army, — elbowed  his 
way  on  the  crowded  steamboat — stretched  his  limbs 
on  the  rough  deck — cooked  his  rations  and  boiled  his 
coffee  when  he  could,  or  gnawed  his  hard-tack  and 
ate  his  meat  raw,  when  he  could  not — debarked  up 
the  Yazoo,  at  Steele's  bayou,  and  advanced  on  the  en- 
emy's pickets — was  defeated  with  the  expedition,  and 
took  a  sad  heart  back,  until  the  victory  at  Arkansas 
Post  restored  the  morale  of  the  armv.  Afterwards, 
he  built  him  a  roof  of  cypress  shingles  in  the  side  of 
the  mud  levee,  at  Young's  Point,  and  plastered  the 
cracks  with  his  shelter  tent,  waiting  until  Old  Per- 
severance crossed  the  big  river,  and  led  his  troops  in 
the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  Nothing  but  a  private,  who 
never  disobeyed  an  order,  always  ate  his  full  rations, 
and  never  looked  over  his  rifle  at  random :  a  private, 
who  made  it  a  principle  to  empty  his  cartridge  box, 
every  time  he  went  out,  into  the  trenches  ;  and  that 


444  COTTON  STEALING. 

he  went  into  the  trenches  his  full  number  of  times 
may  be  inferred  from  the  number  of  rounds  issued  to 
his  company — namely,  thirty-three  thousand,  which 
were  expended  during  the  siege, — one  among  two 
hundred  thousand  free  men  at  Yicksburg. 

After  the  national  troops  had  taken  possession, 
had  leveled  their  approaches,  had  dismounted  all 
the  rebel  works,  using  them  for  the  outer  picket  line, 
— when  they  were  employed  on  the  inner  line  of  for- 
tifications, which  our  engineers  rendered  impregnable ; 
while  the  main  army  had  moved,  or  was  moving,  to 
other  fields  of  battle,  Mrs.  Wirtman  wrote  to  her  son: 

''  Where  is  Chas.  Hardone?  Why  does  he  not  write 
Allie  ?  She  has  received  but  one  letter  since  he  left 
Memphis.  Mr.  Sandison  has  had  a  falling  out  with 
him  on  some  account,  of  which  he  explains  nothing. 
He  has  abandoned  the  cotton  trade,  returned  home, 
and  resumed  politics,  and  is  very  busy  forDiing  lodges 
of  the  Union  League  for  the  approaching  election, 
and  hardly  stays  a  day  at  home,  following  the  track 
of  that  La  Scheme  and  that  most  detestable  woman 
— Leette. 

"  We  do  not  know,  and  cannot  guess,  what  the 
trouble  may  be.  Mr.  Wirtman  thinks  it  arises  from 
the  cotton  of  that  widow  who  lived  in  the  blind  field. 
I  suppose  you  know  it  was  confiscated  and  sold,  in 
spite  of  all  Mr.  Wirtman  could  do. 

"  We  say  very  little  about  Charlie,  for  Allie  is 
not  yet  strong.  My  other  letters,  if  you  received 
them,  (and  he  had  not)  have  told  you  how  sick  she 
was  after  her  return.     Allie  is  not  yet  well.     That 


COTTON  STEALING.  445 

climate  produces  awful  fevers — almost  as  awful  in 
their  cflfects  as  their  experience.  I  would  not  live  in 
it  for  anything  in  the  world,  and  wish  you  could  come 
home  right  away.  I  think  one  reason  for  Allie's 
slow  recovery  is  her  anxiety  about  Charlie.  She 
says  very  little  of  him,  but  I  think  she  must  have 
heard  the  miserable  story  which  was  circulated,  and 
of  which  I  wish  to  ask,  if  you  know  or  can  explain  it 
in  any  way  ?  It  came  from  some  of  Charlie's  friends, 
amounting  to  a  statement  that  he  had  broken  the 
engagement,  because  she  had  been  improperly  inti- 
mate with  some  of  the  officers.  Was  this  the  reason 
why  Mr.  Sandison  had  trouble  with  him  ?  Do  you 
know  the  reason  ?  I  wish  you  would  write  if  you 
know. 

"  James,  why  don't  you  write  to  Allie  ?  She  would 
be  glad  to  hear  from  you.  And,  my  son,  I  must 
chide  you  for  not  being  more  hopeful.  You  do 
wrong  to  think  you  will  die  before  the  close  of  the 
war.  I  cannot  feel  so.  I  know  I  shall  see  my  dear 
boy  safe  at  home  again.  I  believe,  too,  he  will  be 
very  happy  in  the  love  of  all  his  friends." 

To  this  James  replied  : 
"  My  Dear  Mother  :— 

"Is  it  possible  that  Charles  Hardone  has  been  so 
base  as  to  deceive  Allie  up  to  this  time  ?  Has  he 
been  so  deficient  in  moral  courage  as  not  to  tell  her 
he  was  married  to  Leette  on  the  night  we  left  Mem- 
phis ?  He  receives  Allie' s  letters,  for  he  tells  me  the 
news  from  them  when  I  see  him,  (not  very  often.) — 
What  a  coward  he  is  !     Then  you  do  not  know  he 


446  COTTON  STEALIXG. 

has  resigned  his  commission,  and  is  acting  indepen- 
dently as  a  cotton  specuhitor  ?  He  is  with  General 
Scienter  as  before.  I  think  the  whole  move  was 
simply  to  make  money,  tliougli  Charlie  pretends  the 
War  Department  has  failed  to  recognize  his  services, 
and  charges  Mr.  Sandison  with  having  used  his  poli- 
tical influence  to  hinder  the  Governor  from  forward- 
ing his  new  commission.  Charlie  says,  ^  General 
Solenter  only  received  his  Major  General's  commis- 
sion by  accident  ;  that  Sandison  was  opposed,  but 
withdrew  his  opposition,  on  the  condition  that  I 
(Charlie)  was  to  be  passed  by.  And  so  I  am  made 
the  scape-goat  for  all  offences.' 

"  Only  a  short  time  ago,  our  Division,  General  So- 
lenter in  command,  was  ordered  to  attack  a  party  of 
guerillas  on  the  Big  Black  River.  I  believed  it  then 
nothing  but  a  cotton  raid,  and  so  it  proved,  to  my  sat- 
isfaction at  least.  We  took  along  a  train  of  empty 
wagons  ;  they  came  back  loaded  with  cotton.  Charlie 
and  La  Scheme  were  volunteer  aid-de-camps,  and  I 
am  told  were  overseeing  the  whole  business.  I  was 
not  there,  but  at  the  front  skirmishing  with  the  men 
who  were  guarding  it.  This  was  C.  S.  A.  cotton, 
and  the  boys  were  paid  for  tearing  out  the  marks  on 
the  heads,  and  sewing  in  new  heads.  La  Scheme 
bought  the  cotton,  and  the  best  of  the  joke  was,  that 
he  had  not  paid  the  Treasury  Agent,  who  confiscated 
it.  Would  you  believe  me,  mother,  if  I  told  you  he 
bought  it  out  for  fifty  thousand  dollars?  So  everyone 
says. 

"  The  talk  now  through  Vicksburg  is  of  cotton,  cot- 


COTTON   STEALING.  447 

ton,  nothing  but  cotton.  Almost  every  one  who  ha> 
an  opportunity  engages  in  the  trade  in  some  way,  and 
the  most  astonishing  sums  are  said  to  be  made  in  the 
business.  I  know  this  must  be  true,  for  my  duty 
places  me  often  on  the  outside  picket  guard,  where 
every  pass  mnst  be  examined,  and  all  articles  must  be 
strictly  searched.  The  orders  are  very  strict,  and  we 
enforce  them  most  strictly.  But  some  days,  thousands 
of  dolhirs  worth  of  goods  pass  through  the  lines,  every 
one  of  which  are  properly  permitted,  and  we  cannot 
possibly  find  a  pretext  for  seizing  and  confiscating 
them.  Why  do  some  favorites  obtain  permits  when 
no  one  else  can  ? 

"  Are  you  interested  in  these  things  ?  Do  you  be- 
lieve them  ?  AUie  will  be  ;  she  can :  for  she  has 
seen  the  cotton  trade,  and  knows  what  tremendous 
temptations  it  contains.  I  never  dreamed  human  na- 
ture was  so  depraved.  Every  one  seems  to  have  been 
bitten  by  the  golden  serpent,  to  imagine  that  they 
have  only  to  engage  and  they  will  succeed,  make  a 
fortune  in  a  month.  That  has  destroyed  poor  Charlie. 

'-  Here  I  am  reminded  to  tell  you  how  I  know  he 
is  married.  I  was  present.  I  have  the  order  yet 
which  Gen.  Solenter  sent  me  to  discharge  his  wife 
from  custody.  Leette  had  behaved  badly  that  night, 
and  I  followed  her  to  see  her  safe  ofi"  on  the  boat.  On 
the  gang  plank  she  beckoned  me,  and  whispered  in 
my  ear,  "  I  shall  save  your  life  again,  or  my  name  is 
not  Leette."  Before  the  words  were  hardly  out  of 
her  mouth,  Charlie  ordered  me  on  board  a  transport 
bound  for  Helena,  and  afterwards  came  and  wrote  an 


448  COTTON    STEALING. 

order  for  instant  departure,  so  I  had  no  opportunity 
to  say  good-bye  to  AUie  or  father. 

"  I  will  send  home  my  orders,  for  you  to  preserve  in 
case  they  should  be  needed.  I  "svould  have  sent  tliem 
before,  but  never  had  any  confidence  in  mails  which 
were  forwarded  through  our  Adjutant  General's  of- 
fice ;  but  now  a  regular  post-office  is  established  here, 
I  have  no  fear  of  the  mails. 

"  I  cannot  hope  as  you  do,  mother,  that  I  shall  see 
the  end  of  the  war.  I  feel  a  presentiment  of  defeat 
and  death.  I  cannot  survive  defeat.  If  1  die,  you 
can  tell  Allie  that  I  loved  her,  for  now  she  is  free  I 
do  not  think  it  will  be  wrong,  but  not  without.  You 
understand,  mother,  not  without. 

"  Good-bye,  dear  mother.  Love  to  Jeanie,  Allie, 
to  father  and  all. 

*'From  your  affectionate  son, 

James." 


CHAPTER   XLI. 

Perhaps  no  greater  proof  of  the  ability  of  La 
Scheme  can  be  given,  than  his  power  to  keep  in  one 
dwelling  several  females  whom  he  had  taught  to  love 
him.  This  would  have  been  impossible  without  the 
great  underlying  principle  of  self-sacrifice,  to  which 
he  appealed  as  a  last  resort.  With  this  principle, 
with  his  secret  oaths  and  his  acute  perception  of  the 
treatment  each  different  woman-nature  demanded, 
he  was  able  to  harmonize  and  produce  an  apparent 
impossibility.  Besides  this,  he  possessed  a  remark- 
able power,  of  systematizing  all  business  ;  and  he  gave 
each  person  a  particular  sphere,  a  particular  suite  of 
rooms,  a  particular  circle  in  which  to  operate  ;  so  that 
all  were  occupied  in  minding  their  own  business,  were 
waited  on  in  their  own  apartments,  and  only  met  in 
the  common  parlors  when  policy  or  impulse  prompted 
them.  The  war  against  the  Union  was  a  common 
bond  of  sympathy  ;  their  mutual  oaths  a  common 
bond  of  union,  and  in  those  oaths  there  was  an  obli- 
gation to  deceive  their  enemy,  which  united  them 
29 


450  COTTON  STEALING. 

most  strongly  by  one  common  obligation  of  deceit. 
They  had  their  antagonisms, — had  their  jealousy, — 
their  hatred  ;  but  stronger  than  anger,  than  hate, 
than  jealousy,  was  the  oath  to  treat  an  enemy  as  a 
friend,  when  that  enemy  was  a  friend  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy. 

The  lady  of  the  house  was  Madame  Hardone.  Her 
sphere  demanded  more  intellect, — the  nearest  ap- 
proach to  a  man.  Leette  was  the  man-womon  of  the 
establishment — one  who  dared  say  what  no  other  fe- 
male in  the  house  would  speak, — one  who  dared  do 
what  none  other  would  attempt, — one  who  feared  the 
opposite  sex  by  neither  day  or  night,  and  would  jostle 
her  path  through  a  crowd  of  men  as  fearlessly,  more 
fearlessly,  than  a  man,  because  she  was  a  fearless 
woman — such  an  one  as  brave  men  respect. 

The  lady  of  the  parlors  was  the  pianist  of  Mem- 
phis :  more  choice  in  her  manners^  more  delicate  in 
her  allusions,  more  equable  in  her  temper,  more 
guarded  in  her  language, — impressing  her  guests 
with  respect  for  a  lady.  Upon  her  fell  the  reponsi- 
bility  of  doing  what  impulsive  Leette  left  undone — 
a  sort  of  binder  up  of  broken  heads,  soother  ot 
wounded  feelings.  She  pervaded  the  parlors  with  a 
quiet  watchfulness,  which  prevented  intrusion  or  ob- 
servation of  what  might  else  have  seemed  suspicious. 
Of  all  others,  she  was  one  to  be  a  spy,  embodying 
the  idea  of  vigilence  ;  and  La  Scheme  knew  whom 
he  had  chosen  when  he  asked  her  to  stand  guard  on 
the  evening  General  Solenter  was  to  be  won  over  to 
a  Red  River  expedition. 


COTTON   STEALma.  451 

Her  observation  was  not  confined  to  the  parlors 
It  included  the  whole  house,  which  had  been  so  ar 
ranged  that  every  outside  door  communicated  with 
an  ante-room,  by  means  of  speaking  tubes,  through 
which  every  arrival  was  communicated  to  her,  the 
moment  the  ring  or  knock  was  answered  at  the  door. 
This  ante-room  was  the  first  reception  room,  and 
opened  with  large  folding  doors,  (run  upon  wheels 
into  the  partitions,)  upon  the  great  parlors  where 
each  guest  was  lost  among  the  fashionable  pyramids 
of  lace,  velvet,  silk,  from  which,  as  Venus  from  the 
sea,  beauty,  adorned  with  sparkling  gems,  arose  to 
swell,  dazzle  and  charm  the  vision  of  those  so  favor- 
ed as  to  find  entrance  here. 

The  whole  of  the  long  evening  had  passed  safely 
and  quickly  "  as  a  marriage  bell."  The  exit  of  the 
principle  personages  had  been  accomplished  without 
observation,  and  the  guests  were  taking  their  depar- 
ture, when  the  watchful  sentinel  at  the  door  spoke  a 
name  in  her  ear  which  made  her  start — it  was  Charles 
Hardone,  Adjutant  General.  The  master  of  the 
house  had  come.  What  should  she  do  ?  How  could  she 
prevent  a  scandalous  scene  in  the  presence  of  the 
guests  ?  If  La  Scheme  were  only  here  !  But  he 
was  there  also.     What  should  she  do  ? 

The  Adjutant  General,  dusty  from  his  long  ride 
in  the  cars,  was  shown,  by  her  direction,  into  the 
library.  Then  a  servant  was  summoned  to  show  him 
a  room,  and,  in  want  of  something  better,  her  own 
was  put  at  his  service.  On  his  part,  this  whole  af- 
fair was  a  mystification,  which  he   could  not  under- 


452  COTTON  STEALING. 

stand.  Why  did  not  Leette  receive  him?  From 
her  letters,  she  seemed  a  loving,  waiting  wife,  [he 
had  not  been  taught  how  young  an  animal  he  was — 
his  eyes  would  soon  be  open,]  but  here  was  a  party, 
at  which  she  should  certainly  be  mistress ;  where  she 
ought  to  be  doing  the  honors,  and  yet  she  had  not 
come  to  meet  him,  only  sent  a  servant  and  her  com- 
pliments. "  Well,"  he  thought,  '^  perhaps  she  is  un- 
able to  leave  her  guests  ;  I  will  go  down." 

When  he  entered  the  room,  a  lady  he  recognized  as 
a  Memphis  acquaintance,  received  him,  and  intro- 
duced him  immediately  to  a  lady  with  whom  she  left 
him  and  returned  to  other  duties.  Charlie,  looking 
everywhere,  saw  no  Leette  :  as  soon  as  politeness 
permitted,  asking  for  his  wife,  learned  that  General 
Solenter  had  been  there,  and  that  was  all.  This  lady 
had  been  instructed  to  be  ignorant,  and  refer  the 
Adjutant  to  the  other,  who  kept  busy  to  avoid  him. 
But  Charlie  began  to  grow  wrathy  :  he  had  not  been 
in  the  army  and  captured  Yicksburg  to  be  flanked  in 
his  own  house.  He  went  to  this  lady  and  demanded 
an  explanation,  which  now  she  found  impossible  to 
avert.  She  informed  him  Madame  Hardone  had 
retired,  and  counseled  him  to  wait  until  morning. 
But  with  an  oath  he  demanded  her  room,  and  went 
there.  She,  anticipating  trouble,  by  the  front  stairs, 
sought  the  library  and  the  private  room,  where  she 
hoped  to  find  La  Scheme. 

Charlie  was  lighted  by  a  servant,  who  guided  him 
by  the  private  way.  Charlie  did  not  wait  for  cere- 
mony, but  opened,  went  in,  and  closed  the  door.  The 


COTTON  STEALING.  453 

room  was   only  dimly  lighted,  and  he  was  unable  at 
first   to  distinguish  objects. 

Just  at  this  moment  the  gas,  without  hands,  burn- 
ed brightly!  La  Scheme  had  been  warned  and  turn- 
ed it  on ;  then  General  Solenter  caught  sight  of  the 
man  whom  he  recognized  with  these  words,  "The  Ad- 
jutant, by  G — d  !"  Leette  started,  and  both  con- 
fronted him,  when  Hardone  exclaimed, 

"  Solenter  !  what  do  you  in  my  wife's  apartments  ? 
Draw  and  defend  yourself!" 

Before  he  could  reply,  Leette  had  drawn  from  her 
pocket  the  same  pistol  she  had  surrendered  to  the 
Corporal,  returned  at  her  request  by  the  Adjutant's 
order,  stepped  before  the  General,  and  pointing  it  »t 
her  husband,  said  : 

"  General  Solenter  is  my  guest,  partaker  of  your 
hospitality.  I  shall  not  permit  him  to  be  insulted  in 
my  house,  even  by  the  man  who  has  a  right  to  call  me 
wife.  General,  will  you  step  into  the  library  and  tell 
Mr.  La  Scheme  not  to  return.  I  have  something  to 
say  to  this  man  alone.  " 

The  General  was  only  too  glad  to  go  away.  Leette, 
gazing  directly  at  Hardone  over  the  bright  barrel  of 
her  four  shooter,  as  long  as  it  was  pointed  at  him, 
dropped  her  hand  to  her  side,  when  his  Henry's  Re- 
peater ^\  as  turned  upon  her,  curling  her  lip  in  con- 
tempt as  she  said  : 

*'  A  braver  man  than  you  dare  to  be,  taught  me 
not  to  be  afraid  of  death.  Oh,  now,  put  down  your 
six-shooter ;  it  wouldn't  sound  well  to  have  it  said 
you  shot  your  wife."     Then,  when   he    returned  the 


454  COTTON  STEALING. 

weapon  to  his  belt,  she  put  her's  too  out  of  sight. 
She  pointed  him  towards  the  chair  in  which  La  Scheme 
had  been  sitting,  herself  standing  by  her  seat,  with  a 
look  which  seemed  to  inquire,  "  Well,  General,  what 
have  you  to  say  ?" 

Hardone  commenced,  "  This  is  a  pretty  welcome 
to  give  a  man  in  his  own  house  !"     She  interrupted, 

"  General,  no  curtain  lectures.  Perhaps  you  are 
ignorant  with  whom  .you  have  to  deal.  My  little 
friend  I  showed  you  a  moment  ago  ought  to  have  con- 
vinced you  of  the  value  of  anything  in  that  line.  But 
you  do  not  know  me.  I  must  teach  you  never  to 
trifle  with  Leette  Ledonc.  Oh,  you  thought  you  was 
d^ing  a  fine  thing  when  you  disowned  your  marriage 
to  me  among  the  boys  in  the  army.  Do  not  deny  or 
shake  your  head.  I  have  the  authority  of  a  better 
man  than  you.  General  Scienter.  Oh,  now,  do  not 
get  wrathy.  He  is  not  dead  yet.  Monsieur  Inno- 
cence, who  married  a  wife  for  the  sake  of  her  cotton, 
her  slaves,  her  plantations,  jilting  and  killing  a  wo- 
man you  did  love,  you  to  assume  to  put  on  airs  ! — 
with  me !  No!  No!!  Try  that  on  some  one  else." 

"What  did  you  marry  me  for?" 

"  To  save  my  life.  And  I  can  be  grateful  for  a 
favor.  Do  you  think  the  way  to  win  my  love  is  to 
distrust,  disgrace  and  dishonor  me,  because  you  find 
a  gentleman  alone  in  my  boudoir  ?  I  who  have  rode 
alone  through  the  Southern  Army  !  You  have  made 
a.  fool  of  yourself,  and  insulted  your  wife  by  a  basfe 
suspicion,  which  does  credit  to  a  knowledge  of  human 
nature,  learned  among  females  with  whom  I  do  not 
associate." 


COTTON    STEALING.  455 

"  I  beg  your  pardon.     Perhaps  I  was  too  hasty." 

"  You  need  not  beg.  That  is  no  winning  game 
witli  me.  I  would  have  you  know  I  put  a  value  on 
you  of  dollars  and  cents,  just  such  as  you  put  on  me." 

''  But  La  Scheme  said  you  loved  me.  " 

*'  Bah !  You  are  not  such  a  fool !  Come,  Charlie, 
dont  make  me  think  you  were  soft  enough  to  believe 
that!" 

''But  the  quinine!" 

"  Oh,  yes,  you  sold  yourself  cheap  that  time, — for 
two  kisses.  It  was  contraband  of  war,  and  you  knew 
and  were  paid  for  it  as  you  have  been  often  since.  Do 
not  try  any  patriotic  dodges  on  me.  They  will  not 
win.  I  know  you,  dollars  and  cents.  You  shall  have 
your  full  share." 

"  That  is  all  very  well.  But  you  are  my  wife,  and 
having  sold  myself  as  you  suggest,  I  too,  have  a  share 
in  the  transaction,  and  as  purchaser,  have  rights  in 
Madame  Leette  Ha,rdone  which  I  shall  assert  and  main- 
tain." 

"  Don't  be  too  suie  of  it  I  Don't  be  too  sure  of  it  ! 
Your  experience  has  been  limited.  I  advise  you  to 
make  as  few  experiments  as  possible  at  my  expense. 
Y'ou  are  matched  by  no  Northern  dough-faced  girl, 
but  a  Southern  fire-eater,  who  will  never  forgive  an 
injury  or  fail  to  revenge  an  affront.  Now  let  us  un- 
derstand each  other.  It  is  to  my  advantage  to  appear 
your  wife ;  you  shall  lose  nothing  by  seeming  my 
husband.  Oh,  I  do  not  care  particularly  as  long 
as  there  is  no  absolute  antagonism  between  us,  what 
you  may  do,  where  you  may  stay, — in  a  word,  I  con- 


456  COTTON  STEALING. 

cede  what  I  know  you  will  take,  full  license  without 
a  question.  But  I  demand  similar  rights  and  priv- 
ileges, no  espionage,  no  jealousy,  perfect  freedom  for 
myself,  as  full  as  if  I  were  again  Leette  Ledonc  and 
not  Madame  Hardone." 

^^  I  shall  not  give  it." 

"  1  shall  take  it  without  the  gift ;  and  I  advise  you 
never  to  interfere,  for  I  shall  always  carry  my  little 
friend,  and  give  you  fair  warning.  Leette  Ledonc 
never  fired  at  a  man  without  killing  him." 

"That is  cool." 

"  Why  should  I  be  hot  ?  This  explanation  must 
come,  sooner  or  later.  It  is  not  for  your  interest  to 
become  angry  with  me.  More  than  one  marriage 
has  been  for  convenience ;  and  as  for  love,  you  believe 
in  it  no  more  than  I  do.  Let  us  talk  business.  I 
have  invested  your  funds  and  made  twenty  thousand 
dollars  for  you.  I  have  been  able  to  pay  the  expen- 
ses of  this  establishment  on  a  single  speculation.  Sit 
down  like  a  reasonable  being  and  let  us  make  a  bar- 
gain.    How  much  will  you  take  to  let  me  alone  ?" 

The  Adjutant  sat  down.  But  their  conversation 
was  interrupted,  as  will  be  explained  in  the  next 
chapter. 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

When  General  Scienter  came  into  La  Scheme's 
room,  the  door  of  the  library  was  open,  and  the 
piano  sending  out  its  loud  tones.  Paying  no  atten- 
tion to  music,  he  came  to  La  Scheme,  saying— 
"  The  mischief  is  to  pay  now." 
"What  is  it?"  asked  La  Scheme,  as  if  ignorant 
of  anything  unusual. 

"  The  Adjutant  General  came  in  and  imagined  I 
was  intruding  on  his  rights.  Why  didn't  you  tell 
me?" 

'^  Why  should  I  tell  you  ?  I  saw  your  own  order, 
in  your  hand  writing,  endorsing  the  marriage.  It  is 
too  late  to  plead  ignorance." 

"  Well,  what  shall  I  do  ?     I  cannot  afford  to  break 
with  Charlie.     He  knows   too  many  of  my  secrets." 
"  Did  Madame  Hardone  speak  to  you  of  the  Red 
River  expedition  ?" 
"Yes." 

"  Then  I  can  put  you  right  with  him.  We  will 
anticipate  liis  action.     I  will  go  and  explain  the  cir- 


458  COTTON   STEALING. 

cumstances,  by  taking  him  in  as  partner  and  planning 
the  details  of  the  expedition.     "What   do  you  say?" 

"  Go  on.  Get  me  out  of  the  affair  if  you  can.  I 
know  your  ability,  and  consent  to  follow  your  lead. 
Whatever  you  say  I  will  assent  to.  Can  we  manage 
Leette?" 

"  No.  Leette  is  beyond  management.  There  is 
only  one  way  to  lead  a  woman.  .  Make  her  think  she 
drives  the  team.  We  will  try.  Come, — now  is  the 
best  time  to  do  what  must  be  done." 

Entering  the  room,  they  found  the  happy  pair 
vis-a-vis.  La  Scheme  instantly  went  to  Charlie, 
saying  — 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Adjutant  General.  You 
could  not  have  arrived  more  opportunely.  The  Gen- 
eral on  the  one  part,  and  your  wife,  representing 
the  Confederacy,  on  the  other,  have  just  agreed  to 
work  out  an  expedition  up  the  Red  River,  which 
shall  make  every  officer  engaged  independently  rich. 
In  a  word,  the  Confederacy  will  sell  out  the  whole 
country,  and  you  have  come  in  time  to  share  the 
work  and  reap  the  profits.  I  am  glad  to  see  you, 
sir,  very  glad  to  see  you.     General,  sit  down." 

This  was  said  pointing  the  General  to  the  seat  by 
Madame  Hardone.  Leette  moved  and  the  General 
took  the  seat. 

"  The  General  tells  me  you  seemed  excited.  I  do 
not  wonder  :  it  was  a  mere  accident,  for  I  had  just 
left  them  to  make  a  little  memorandum  of  agreement 
which  I  will  read  to  you.  By  the  way,  I  think  this 
ma.tter  ought  to  be  settled  at  once,  both  to  satisfy  you 


COTTON  STEALING.  459 

and  set  the  General  in  a  true  liglit,  as  well  as  remove 
any  wrong  impressions  wliicli  may  rest  in  your  mind 
concerning  your  wife.  Excuse  me,  General,  won't 
you  ask  the  lady  who  is  playing  on  the  piano,  in  the 
library,  to  step  in." 

The  General  went  out,  as  requested.  La  Scheme 
had  two  objects  ;  one  to  defend  Leette,  the  other  to 
secure  an  additional  witness  to  the  agreement.  Be- 
sides this  he  wished  to  afford  Leette  a  clue  to  his  in- 
tentions, that  she  might  not  mar  the  success  of  his 
plot. 

"  Madame  Hardone,  the  General  told  me  you  did 
not  wish  our  immediate  return, — desiring  a  private 
interview  with  your  husband.  He  also  tells  me  that 
you  had  settled  the  terms,  as  far  as  they  can  now  be, 
in  accordance  with  the  suggestions  we  have  received 
from  the  South.  But  I  decided  that  it  was  more 
important  for  me  to  see  the  Adjutant  General  and 
enlist  him  in  this  business,  and  if  that  could  once 
be  done,  for  you  and  him  to  go  immediately  South. 
He  can  complete  all  the  arrangements  in  the  Federal 
lines  without  suspicion  ;  while  she  will  take  all  cor- 
respondence, and  act  with  the  confederates,  on  the 
other  side." 

The  General  here  entered  with  the  lady  on  his 
arm,  and  La  Scheme,  turning  to  her,  said  : 

"  Lucille,  how  long  had  I  and  the  General  been 
gone  when  the  Adjutant  came?" 

"  But  a  moment." 

"  Did  you  know  of  the  proposed  Red  River  expe- 
dition, and  that  there  were  arrangements  to  be  made 
to-night  V" 


460  COTTON  STEALING. 

"Yes.  I  suppose  you  desired  not  to  be  interrupted, 
and  therefore  interposed  all  the  delay  I  could.  I 
beg  the  pardon  of  the  Adjutant,  for  I  was  not  aware 
that  he  was  to  be  a  party  concerned." 

"  Now,  General  Hardone,  you  see  what  we  have 
been  doing,  and  can  explain  all  which  seems  dark  to 
you." 

"  Mr.  La  Scheme,"  said  Leette,  "  you  need  make 
no  explanations.  There  is  no  necessity  for  explana- 
tions. I  am  offended  that  you  imagine  them  neces- 
sary: Gentlemen,  my  husband  and  myself  are  on 
no  such  terms  as  to  require  your  good  offices.  Be 
pleased  to  attend  to  business." 

'"■  Certainly,"  said  La  Scheme.  "  You  know.  Ad- 
jutant, there  are  a  million  bales  of  cotton  up  the  Red 
River  and  its  tributaries.  These  can  all  be  gotten 
out  by  stationing  a  force  at  Shrevesport.  Now,  a 
proposition  has  come  to  me,  agreeing  to  sell  all  this 
cotton,  on  satisfactory  terms,  to  be  decided  here 
after.  And,  if  the  Government  is  so  disposed,  all  the 
fortified  places,  and  their  heavy  ordnance  and  am- 
munition, will  be  delivered,  with  little  or  no  loss  of 
life,  in  consideration  of  a  definite  sum, — absolutely 
nothing  compared  with  the  expenditure  the  Govern- 
ment will  be  obliged  to  make  if  they  fight  it  out. — 
The  sum  suggested  is  one  and  one  half  millions  of 
dollars  in  greenbacks.  All  Confederate  States  Cot- 
ton to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  cents  per 
pound,  one  half  payable  in  greenbacks,  balance  in 
supplies,  while  the  people  are  to  have  the  privilege 
of  making  their  own  contracts  as  they  best  can. 


COTTON  STEALING.  461 

"  These  are.  the  terras  in  general,  and  General 
Solentcr  has  taken  upon  himself  the  labor  of  sug- 
gest! 1115  ^^^^^^  starting  the  expedition.  Is  it  not  so, 
General  ?" 

"Well — I — think,"  the  General  spoke  with  hesi- 
tation. La  Scheme  immediately  appealed  to  Leette, 
saying,— 

"  This  was  the  substance  of  your  conversation  with 
the  General,  I  believe?" 

"  Yes.  You  remember,  General,  what  you  said  of 
the  cotton  up  there, — how  ths  officers  were  very  anx- 
ious to  move  the  army  up  the  Red  River  ;  and  you 
remember  that  you  told  me  it  would  be  the  most  pop- 
ular expedition,  among  the  officers,  that  could  be  un- 
dertaken ?" 

"  Now,  Madame  Hardone  speaks,  I  do  remember. 
But  I  think  it  will  be  hard  to  get  the  necessary  orders 
from  Washington.  I  do  not  know  how  the  subject 
can  be  broached  there  without  suspicion." 

"  There  is  money  enough  to  be  made  in  Red  River 
cotton  to  buy  a  dozen  Washingtons  if  they  were 
twice  full  of  speculators.  There  will  beJio  difficulty 
after  it  once  is  started  and  the  right  men  are  within 
the  ring.  You  know  who  they  are.  That  Senator 
and  Representative  of  yours  can  help  do  the  busi- 
ness in  the  Departments.  Shall  I  read  the  agreement?' ' 

"  No,"  said  Hardone.  "  The  less  we  hear  of  agree- 
ments the  better.  This,  like  all  our  cotton  transac- 
tions, must  be  strictly  confidential.  Agreements  would 
sound  well  printed  and  published !  I  shall  put  my 
name  to  no  paper." 


i62  COTTON   STEALING. 

"  The  Adjutant  speaks  solid  sense,  as  ho  always 
does.  I  should  have  been  in  many  a  tight  place  if  he 
had  not  kept  me  off  from  paper." 

"  General,  there  must  be  something  to  prove  to  the 
authorities  that  the  agreement  "will  be  kept." 

"  They  must  trust  to  our  honor  froon  the  word  'go.' 
There  can  be  nothing  else." 

*' Hew  shall  we  divide  the  labor?"  asked  Loette. 

La  Scheme  answered,  "  The  General  must  do  the 
work  in  Washington.  He  knows  the  ropes.  The  Ad- 
jutant must  lay  the  track  in  Mississippi." 

''And  what  will  you  do  ?"  asked  General  Solentcr. 

''  Make  myself  generally  useful." 

""Where  do  you  put  me?"  asked  Leette. 

"  With  your  husband,  on  the  Mississippi.  That 
reminds  me  of  the  necessity  for  haste.  Some  one 
ought  to  go  down  and  communicate  progress  immedi- 
ately, to  start  to-morrow  morning." 

"  I  will  go,"  said  Leette. 

"  Without  plan,  project  or  details?"  asked  General 
Solenter. 

"  You  mu^  not  attempt  to  form  any  plan,  or  an- 
ticipate any  details.  Your  first  idea  should  be  to 
suggest  the  expedition,  and  get  the  right  man,  an 
unscrupulous  politician,  appointed  to  lead  it.  Details 
will  follow  naturally." 

"  General,  you  are  the  man  to  take  charge." 

"Not  me.  Adjutant.     That  would  not  do." 

"  Well  you  would  be  if  I  had  the  appointing  power." 

"  Gentlemen,  the  hour  is  early,  and  time  presses. 
You  will  only  have  a  few  hours  to  sleep  before  Change. 


COTTON  STEALING.  463 

This  thing,  if  undertaken,  must  bo  made  to  succeed. 
What  say  you,  shall  we  try  ?" 

*'I  say  Yes,"  replied  Ilardone.  "My  voice  is  Yes," 
said  his  wife.  "lam  afraid  to  say  Yes,  though  I 
would  like  a  hand  in,"  said  General  Solenter. 

Then  La  Scheme  taking  up  the  subject,  said,  "The 
expedition  is  decided.  Each  of  us  is  supreme  in  our 
own  place,  and  we  all  work  to  one  end, — the  expedi- 
tion. Lucille,  will  you  prepare  me  a  room  ?  Gene- 
ral, I  will  not  see  you  leave  us  to-night.  We  will 
need  to  talk  this  over  before  we  separate,  especially 
if  the  Adjutant  and  his  wife  go  down  to  New  Orleans 
to-morrow.  It  is  late  now  and  he  is  tired.  We  will 
leave  him." 

This  wa.s  the  signal  for  departure.  Lucille  left  first, 
Solenter  followed.  Would  he  remain  alone  with  that 
amiable  couple?  Not  he.  La  Scheme  followed  and 
closed  the  door.  When  once  in  the  library,  La  Scheme 
addressed  the  General. 

"  You  have  made  a  narrow  escape.  It  w\as  all  I 
could  do  while  you  was  gone  to  calm  the  Adjutant. 
You  were  uneasy  under  his  eyes  all  the  evening,  and 
I  was  compelled  to  make  up  many  things  to  protect 
you.  I  prevaricated  most  egregiously  when  I  pro- 
fessed to  have  received  any  proposition,  but  I  know 
the  sale  can  be  brought  about.  There  is  only  one 
thing  now  to  be  done.  You  must  put  a  bold  face  on 
the  whole  matter  and  commence  work.  Assistance 
will  come  of  itself,  as  soon  as  the  officials  know  there 
is  any  money  in  it.  Of  one  thing  you  must  be  very 
careful,  not  to  permit  Hardone  to  get  the  better  of 


464  COTTON   STEALING. 

you.  If  ever  a  man  wanted  to  kill  another,  he  was 
one  this  evening.  I  have  laid  his  suspicions.  The  only 
way  to  keep  them  down  is  to  get  him  off  to  Vicksburg 
and  New  Orleans,  while  you  work  at  Washington. — 
When  you  join  your  command,  the  music  will  be  in 
your  hands." 

La  Scheme  showiid  him  a  room,  and  left  him, — join- 
ing Lucille,  he  said : 

"  Lucille,  nothing  in  the  world  could  be  better.  We 
shall  have  a  Red  River  expedition.  Our  cotton  will 
be  sold.  I  will  get  our  twenty  millions,  control  the 
next  Presidential  election,  choose  a  peace  President, 
and  our  country  shall  be  free.  Then,  hurrah  for  Lady 
Lucille,  and  the  noble  lord  Kendal  La  Scheme,  Duke 
of  Mississippi  I" 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

No  one  knows  the  author  of  the  Red  River  expedi- 
tion. It  has  no  father.  It  ought  not  to  have  any 
lionorablc  origin.  In  lieu  of  any  other,  Cotton  Steal- 
ing offers  the  explanation  of  the  preceding  chapter, 
which  may  or  may  not  be  eminently  satisfactory. 

Every  one  engaged  in  that  expedition  remembers 
Jiow  easily  Fort  Do  Russy  was  taken,  and  Alexandria 
captured.  Tiiey  will  remember  the  universal  stam- 
pede of  government  and  every  other  team  after  cotton, 
so  that  even  the  gunboat  boys  were  on  special  ser- 
vice, until  very  shortly  piles  of  cotton  bales  lay  on 
the  banks  of  Red  River,  and  the  army  and  navy  seem- 
ed a  giant  thief  stealins^  cotton.  They  will  remem- 
ber how  as  th?  expedition  proceeded  towards  Shreve- 
port,  a  liolociiust  of  burning  cotton  preceded,  and  how 
:ir  last  when  that  long  train  of  cavalry  went  in  advance 
of  the  main  army— the  wagon  train  Laded  with  stores, 
the  quarter  master's  train,  the  ammunition  train,  the 
paymaster's  train,  were  all  thrown  in  advance  of  the 
infantry  ;  and  they  will  remember  how  when  we  were 
30 


466  COTTON  STEALING. 

attacked,  and  our  troops  were  defeated,  that  train, 
those  stores,  those  supplies,  those  quartermaster  and 
paymaster  chests,  Avere  captured.  Every  one  engaged 
in  this  expedition  will  remember  this,  and  they  will 
now  look  back  upon  it  as  some  dream  of  romance, 
which  Congressional  Investigating  Committees,  and 
army  court  martials  have  proved  a  mere  figment  of  the 
brain  for  which  no  one  is  responsible. 

But  there  is  one  poor  private  who  has  a  realizing 
sense  of  the  expedition,  and  a  positive  belief  as  to 
the  originators,  the  policy,  object,  and  cause  of  the 
failure  of  the  expedition. 

Corporal  Manet  was  in  the  fighting  corps  of  the  old 
war-dog,  A.  J.  Smith,  and  when  the  routed  corps, 
which  had  been  only  brought  into  action  by  brigades 
and  divisions,  been  whipped  in  detail,  ran  to  the  rear 
in  unavoidable  confusion,  he  was  in  the  front  with 
other  good  and  true  men  prepared  to  receive  the 
rebel  charge. 

The  rebels  came  on.  They  were  perfectly  acquaint- 
ed with  the  number,  position  and  quality  of  the 
forces  comprising  the  expedition.  They  knew  how 
many  had  been  captured,  how  many  had  been  routed, 
but  they  did  not  know  old  Grizzly  and  his  Western 
cubs,  who  sharpened  their  claws  and  ground  their 
teeth  at  Vicksburg.  Perhaps  they  had  been  inform- 
ed of  the  incorruptible  ones  and  expected  to  have 
some  hard  work  to  do  ;  at  any  rate  they  formed  more 
than  one  line  of  battle  and  rushed  to  the  charge. 

They  were  repulsed.  Every  one  knows  how  glo- 
riously they  were  repulsed.     The  army  found  space 


COTTON   STEALING.  467 

to  breathe  and  vras  saved.     All  honor  to  Major  Gen- 
eral A.  J.  Smith  and  the  heroes  of  Vicksburcr ! 

o 

In  that  first  charge  the  line  in  which  James  Manet 
was  stationed,  was  forced  back  some  rods.  Before 
his  comrades  retired  he  had  been  wounded.  His  leg 
was  broken.  They  tried  to  bring  him  off,  but  failed, 
leaving  him  with  seven  others  wounded.  Said  James, 

"  Boys,  fall  back ;  don't  mind  us.  We  shall  die 
anyway.     We  will  kill  a  few  more  before  we  go."     . 

There  was  no  time  for  compliments.  The  line  main- 
tained its  front  only  a  few  rods  in  their  rear.  Charge 
after  charge  was  made  by  the  rebels,  but  it  never 
reached  the  spot  where  they  were  fighting.  Over 
their  devoted  heads  the  bullets,  the  balls,  the  shells 
of  both  friends  and  foes  were  flying.  Each  man  with 
the  will  of  one  who  sells  his  life  dearly,  loa  ded  his  gun, 
waited  for  a  shot,  and  fired  on  purpose  to  kill.  Before 
the  day  was  gone,  they  had  been  complimented  by 
the  particular  attention  of  a  battery  and  a  regiment 
of  sharpshooters.  One  by  one  those  brave  souls  said 
"  Good-bye,  Corporal."  Now  the  words  came  faint 
from  the  lips  of  a  farmer  boy,  who  took  a  bullet  from 
behind,  when  too  eager  he  exposed  his  head,  and  was 
shot"^n  an  artery,  which  bled  him  to  death.  They 
could  not  ease  his  twisted  form  ;  they  could  not  move 
themselves.  They  did  not  weep.  They  fired  finer. 
''  That  was  for  Billy."  Thug,  came  an  Enfield  bullet. 
"  Charlie's  gone.  It's  my  turn  next,  but  I  must  take 
one  more  with  me."  The  air  w^as  soft  and  still  as 
summer  morning,  while  the  battle  waged  on  either 
hand.     One  short  moment  seemed  an  hour  to  those, 


468  COTTON   STEALING. 

who,  waiting  for  a  shot,  fired  at  the  smoke ;  or  rather, 
each  moment  was  an  hour  in  coming,  each  hour  a 
fraction  of  a  second  when  gone  to  join  eternity.  An- 
other charge  came,  and  Long-legged  Sam  fired  his 
last.  He  was  killed  by  the  premature  explosion  of 
one  of  our  own  shells.  The  Corporal  fought  on  until' 
every  round  was  expended,  and  then  took  cartridges 
from  his  comrade's  boxes.  At  last,  a  shot,  which  had 
its  mission,  struck  his  arm  above  the  elbow,  and  his 
work  was  done.     Not  dead,  but  bleeding  to  death. 

At  evening,  some  of  the  boys  came  to  find  the 
wounded,  examined  each,  pronounced  them  dead,  and 
as  the  order  for  retreat  had  been  given,  left  their  bo- 
dies to  be  buried  by  the  rebels. 

A  battle  field  at  night  is  awful !  Gettysburg,  with 
its  three  days  conflict.  Seven  Pines,  with  its  woods  on 
fire,  or  Shiloh,  or  Lone  Mountain;  every  battle  of 
the  Rebellion  had  its  hour  of  midnight,  when  no  star 
shone,  but  exhaustion  lay  in  stony  coldness  all  over 
the  ground  like  a  hoar-frost  dew  in  early  autumn. 

In  the  haste  of  battle,  men  had  not  moved  from 
where  they  dropped,  dead-ripe  fruit  upon  the  ground. 
The  wounded  were  still,  because  the  cold  had  chilled 
w^hat  little  blood  was  left.  There  were  no  shadows, 
because  shadows  suggest  light.  Darkness  brooded 
above  the  tree  tops,  sombre  in  daylight.  Darkness, 
below  the  matted  mass  of  limbs  and  leaves,  did  not 
brood,  it  penetrated  like  a  November  fog  on  the  coast 
of  Maine.  Darkness  was  visible-black  moistened 
and  mixed  with  air,  and  penetrated  the  locks  of  the 
dead;  penetrated  the  garments  of  the  dead  and  made 


COTTON  STEALING.  469 

them  dank,  more  dank  than  the  soulless  clay  they 
covered.  In  that  horror  of  darkness,  there  were  lit- 
tle streams  of  light,  where  our  dear  boys  were  dying. 
It  was  no  earthly  sun,  nor  earthly  moon,  nor  star,  but 
as  the  pulse  froze  and  the  heart  sank  in  that  dark- 
ness, the  light  of  another  world  dawned,  and  tliey 
lived  to  live  forever. 

On  that  field  there  was  one  artificial  light  making 
horror  visible.  A  company  of  faces  black  as  the 
night  they  peered  into,  guided  by  a  woman's  wliite 
voice  in  their  search  among  the  dead.  There  was  a 
man,  too,  who  said  : 

"  Leette,  it  is  useless.  He  is  not  alive  ;  wait  until 
to-morrow." 

''  I  will  not  wait.  I  said  I  would  save  him,  and  I 
will.  " 

"  Why  would  you  save  him  ?  What  is  he  to  you  ? — 
Why  have  you  such  interest  in  this  Yankee?" 

"  It  matters  nothing  to  you.  I  want  my  own  way 
and  will.  You  need  not  remain.  Go,  fill  your  ap- 
pointment with  General  Solenter.  Tell  Monsieur 
Ilardone  I  amlookins;  for  his  rival  on  the  battlefield. 
I  come  back  when  I  get  ready.     Go." 

"  I  want  you,  Leette.  Something  ijiay  yet  be  done. 
For  if  we  can,   we  must  redeem  this  terrible  defeat." 

"Defeat  !  La  Scheme,  Defeat  !  This  is  a  glorious 
victory.  We  shall  take  the  whole  army  prisoners,  and 
capture  and  destroy  those  gunboats." 

"Leette,  you  are  blind,  blind,  blind.  What  is  a 
victory  on  the  Red  River?  What  if  the  whole  army 
was   taken  prisoners  ?     This  would  only  prolong  the 


470  COTTON   STEALING. 

war.  While  Grant  and  Sherman, — while  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  and  Tennessee  are  unconquered,  this 
victory  amounts  to  worse  than  nothing.  All  these 
lives  are  sacrificed, — uselessly,  uselessly.  Our  men 
have  no  brains.     Good  God  !  why  can't  they  see  !" 

"  La  Scheme,  the  Federals  violated  their  pledges. 
They  took  the  cotton  without  paying  for  it,  and  as 
soon  as  they  began  to  steal,  Gen.  Kirby  Smith  order- 
ed the  people  to  burn,  and  they  did  burn.  So  would 
I.  They  are  a  glorious  race.  I  never  was  more  proud 
than  when  I  saw  the  smoke  of  our  million  bales.  Then 
I  went  in  for  revenge.  Oh,  it  was  glorious  !  I  only 
wish  for  a  perfect  rout  on  their  part." 

'"  Blind,  blind,  blind.  Suppose  they  had  stolen  a 
few  thousand  bales ;  ten  thousand,  twenty  thousand, 
what  of  it  ?  Now,  we  have  burnt  a  million.  They 
are  gone,  ashes.  My  twenty  millions  are  lost.  We 
have  gained  a  victory,  but  at  what  an  expense  ?  A 
milUon  bales  of  cotton  and  five  thousand  lives.  We 
have  lost  our  chance  at  Chicago,  lost  our  President, 
lost  our  Peace,  lost  our  Confederacy.  And  that 
Navy  was  to  blame.  The  army  came  up  to  its  word, 
and  filled  its  pledges.  Oh,  Leette,  what  difi"erence 
did  it  make,  whether  we  bribed  the  Navy  by  letting 
them  steal,  or  paid  the  Admiral  ?  We  could  not  buy 
him,  and  so  our  short-sighted  General  set  the  cotton 
on  fire  because  they  took  it  for  Prize-money.  We 
could  have  afi'orded  to  have  given  the  Navy  ten  mil- 
lions of  prize-money.  Perhaps  we  can  redeem  the 
defeat  yet.  I  tell  you,  we  are  defeated  by  those  gun 
boats  without  a  shell." 


COTTON    STEALING.  471 

••You  can  do  nothing,  La 'Scheme.  If  our  Gen- 
erals were  willing,  our  soldiers  are  not.  They  will 
take  the  whole  expedition  prisoners  and  the  gunboats 
too.  Go,  if  you  want  to.  I  have  not  had  my  re- 
venge on  the  Corporal  yet.  I  shall  find  him,  and 
find  him  alive.     Go." 

Victor  Hugo,  in  his  "  Miserables,"  in  accounting 
for  the  defeat  of  Napoleon  at  Waterloo,  asks  : 

*•  Was  it  possible  that  Napoleon  should  win  this 
battle  ?  We  answer,  no.  Why  ?  Because  of  Wel- 
lington ?  Because  of  Blutcher  ?  No.  Because  of 
God." 

There  was  every  reason  in  the  world  why  the  Red 
River  expedition  should  have  been  a  success — every 
reason  to  expect  it  triumphant ;  but  its  success  would 
have  been  the  indirect  means  of  replenishing  the 
treasury  of  the  Confederacy,  and  establishing  its 
credit  at  home  and  abroad  ;  as  a  consequence  prolong 
the  war,  and,  it  might  be,  establish  the  Confederacy 
and  Slavery.     The. expedition  failed  because  of  God. 

So  thinks  Cotton  Steahng.  Perhaps  Cotton  Steal- 
ing is  wrong.  Let  whoever  thinks  it  wrong  answer 
this  question.  Would  people  who  did  not  hesitate 
to  burn  three  crops  of  cotton — a  million  bales — with 
their  own  hands,  rather  than  permit  it  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  federals,  have  held  back  one  half  or  two 
thirds  of  its  purchase  money  when  sold  ?  or,  would 
they  have  willingly  paid  all  to  their  government  to 
secure  their  freedom  ? 

La  Scheme  knew  what  they  would  do,  knew  what 
results  he  could  accomplish  with  the  money,  and  in 


472  COTTON  STEALING. 

the  strengtli  of  that  knowledge  regarded  the  confed- 
erate- victory  of  Red  River  the  worst  dt^feat  his  cause 
had  ever  sustained.     Was  it  or  was  it  noi  ? 

Leette  did  not  think.  She  was  following  an  im- 
pulse. ,  That  phenomenon  so  unexplainable,  which 
occurs  in  some  lives  ;  perhaps  sometimes  in  every 
life,  where  an  unseen  power  drives  on  in  an  unusual 
direction,  apparently  objectless,  to  accomplish  ^rreat 
good  :  as  when  a  captain  at  sea  alters  his  course,  in 
obedience  to  an  influence  he  cannot  resist,  and  res- 
cues the  forlorn  survivors  of  the  burned  steamer  from 
a  watery  grave.  Leette  was  seeking  James  jianet. 
She  knew  where  his  briorade  and  division  fought ; 
knew  where  the  fight  was  thickest  he  would  be,  and 
when  the  foregoing  conversation  passed  was  stand- 
ing near  him.  He  heard  her  words  and  kept  silence. 
James  Manet  was  willing  to  die,  since  his  death  had 
rendered  such  plans  abortive.  James  Manet  would 
rather  die  on  the  field  of  battle  than  be  subject  to 
her  vengeance. 

The  same  power  which  was  driving  her  on,  direct- 
ed her  steps,  and  Leette  found  the  Corporal,  still 
alive,  sensible,  but  very  low.  She  ordered  her  as- 
sistants, two  slaves,  to  place  him  on  the  stretcher, 
and  took  him  out  of  the  woods.  As  soon  as  she  got 
to  a  surgeon,  her  influence  brought  him  to  her  case, 
and  on  a  hasty  examination  he  decided  the  leg  ought 
to  be  taken  oif,  as  also  the  arm.  Nevertheless,  the 
operations  would  be  useless,  because  fatal,  and  the 
prisoner  might  as  well  die  without  unnecessary  pain. 

"  Doctor,  will  he  die  if  they  remain  ?" 


COTTON  STEALING.  473 

"Yes." 

"  Then  cut  them  off.     He  will  not  die." 

"  IIo^y  do  you  know  ?" 

"  I  feel  it." 

"  I  would  not  stake  my  life  on  your  feelings." 

"  No  one  asked  it.  This  man  belongs  to  me.  He 
can  do  the  Confederacy  no  more  injury.  He  saved 
my  life  once,  and  I  promised  to  save  his.  The  re- 
sponsibility is  mine.  Cut,  and  you  will  do  no  more 
harm  than  kill,  only  finish  what  two  bullets  failed  to 
do." 

This  was  all  that  was  said.  Other  cases  demanded 
his  attention,  and  the  surgeon  gave  the  signal  for  the 
operation.  In  an  instant,  James  was  placed  on  the 
platform,  which  answered  for  a  table.  Leette  took 
a  knife  and  cut  his  bloody  garment  from  the  wound 
ed  limbs,  and  then  the  surgeon,  with  a  quick  move- 
ment of  the  knife,  commenced  the  operations. 
There  was  no  chloric  ether,  or  other  anaesthetic,  to 
economize  strength  and  preserve  life,  but  there  was 
a  strong  constitution  unmarred  by  hereditary  taint, 
unpoisoned  by  excess  or  imprudent  exposure.  The 
Corporal  endured  the  operations  without  a  groan,  and 
was  taken  by  his  bearers  to  Leette's  quarters.  Here, 
under  her  care,  he  slowly  improved,  until,  as  time 
passed,  he  was  able  to  be  moved.  Then  she  carefully 
took  him  near  the  lines,  and  left  him  in  the  care  of 
persons  she  could  trust,  saying  these  farewell  words : 
.  "  Get  well  as  soon  as  you  can,  and  go  home.  You 
have  one  arm,  one  lesj.  Your  mother  will  be  Mad  to 
see  you.   Then  she  said  good-bye, — turned  to  go  out. 


474  COTTON  STEALING. 

— came  back,  and  said  to  him,  "  Oh  I  I  forgot  to 
tell  jou  Allie  Sandison  is  dead  !"  This  was  her  re- 
venge. 


CHAPTER   XLIV. 

Allie  Sandison  was  not  dead.  Allie's  mothep  was 
dead.  Leette's  perverse  heart  would  torment,  be- 
cause she  loved  to  see  her  victim  writhe.  He  would 
not  writhe  to  please  her ;  then  she  did  her  best  to 
keep  the  Corporal  ahve,  because  if  he  died  he  would 
ioin  Allie  sooner.  Her  heaven  had  no  separations. 
The  tale  was  to  him  the  same  as  true.  Leette  had 
been  bearer  of  tidings  of  the  death  of  his  sister  Lilly. 
After  having  saved  his  life  a  second  time,  and  in  des- 
pite of  her  words  indicated  an  affection  which,  thouo-h 
wayward,  must  be  deep  and  lasting ;  to  believe  she 
would  or  could  trifle  with  his  feelings  was  impossible  : 
consequently  when  he  wrote  home  from  the  hospital, 
it  was  merely  to  tell  how  he  was,  where  he  was,  and 
how  he  got  there,  the  chances  and  changes  of  the 
past,  and  the  hopes  and  expectation  of  the  future. 

"Mother,  you  and  father  Wirtman  have  work 
enough  to  do,  mouths  enough  to  feed,  without  the 


476  COTTON  STEALING. 

care  of  your  poor,  useless,  wounded,  crippled  boy. 
The  country  will  take  care  of  me  in  the  hospital 
until  I  get  able  to  travel  on  my  crutch,  and  then  I 
will  pay  you  a  visit.  It  will  be  a  long  time  before  I 
can  leave  this  hospital  for  one  nearer  God's  country, 
although  I  know  I  should  get  well  faster  and  be  bet- 
ter where  the  weather  is  cooler.  Perhaps  if  Allie 
was  alive  she  would  be  my  nurse,  for  she  used  to 
love  wounded  soldiers.  It  is  all  for  the  best.  I  only 
wish  the  war  was  done.  1  have  but  one  sorrow  in 
my  maimed  condition ;  it  is,  that  I  was  disabled  in  a 
cotton  raid.  I  have  one  joy,  that  it  was  a  failure. 
The  size  does  not  compensate  me  for  my  loss,  and  I 
cannot  think  of  the  poor  boys  whose  bones  are  bleach- 
ing on  the  battle-field,  except  as  murdered  by  our  own 
Generals.  May  God  have  mercy  on  their  souls.  I 
do  not  know  where  the  guilt  rests.  Leette  says  they 
will  never  be  convicted,  that  even  parties  in  Wash- 
ington were  partners  in  the  transaction.  In  one  of 
her  clear  moments,  Leette  told  me  ;  every  part  Avas 
perfectly  understood,  and  the  amount  of  profits,  the 
lay  of  the  great  whale  cotton  to  the  sailors,  boat 
steerers,  captain,  mate  and  crew,  who  stayed  by 
the  ship  in  "Washington — do  you  understand  me  ? — 
was  agreed  upon.  One  thing  is  sure,  we  poor  pri- 
vates did  not  come  in  for  any  share,  except  bullets 
and  death !  And  Admiral  Porter  threw  the  shell 
which  burst  the  bubble  and  opened  the  pretended 
fiorht  into  an  actual  battle,  resultino;  in  our  sad  de- 
feat ;  he  and  his  gun-boat  men  took  the  cotton  as  a 
lawful  prize  of  war,  and  as  soon  as  Kirby  Smith  and 


COTTON  STEALING.  477 

Gen.  Taylor  fouinl  it  was  not  going  according  to  con- 
tract they  orJerc'l  the  people  to  barn,  ant]  tlioy  did 
burn  millions. 

"  Mother,  I  thank  my  Heavenly  Father  every  day 
for  such  a  mother  as  you, — -for  the  religious  educa- 
tion you  have  given  me.  I  believe  I  see  God's  hand 
in  this  defeat,  and  I  am  reconciled  to  my  loss.  If, 
as  Leette  tells  me,  tliis  great  expedition  was  set  on 
foot  by  rebel  sympathizers,  in  order  to  bring  out  the 
million  bales  of  cotton  which  fill  the  Red  River  coun- 
try ;  they  reaping  the  rich  harvest  of  gold  ;  the  ad- 
vance in  price  which  the  war  has  brought  about,  and 
with  which  rebel  emissaries  designed  to  purchase  the 
unscrupulous  politicians  of  the  North — to  hire  them 
to  attempt  the  destruction  of  our  free  institutions, 
I  shall  never  regret  the  failure.  But  was  Hazael 
any  the  less  to  blame  for  saying,  '  Is  thy  servant  a 
dog  V  or  was  Jezebel  any  less  a  harlot  because 
she  was  unsuccessful  ?  Oh !  I  wish  if  they  were 
guilty,  there  were  some  on  our  side  who  would  throw 
the  men  like  General  Solenter  out  of  the  window, 
that  the  dogs  might  lick  their  blood  in  the  streets. 
I  never  expect  they  will  be  punished.  The  very 
gold  their  infamy  has  procured  will  buy  judges,  who 
will  conceal  the  sin.  I  wish  the  people  would  brand 
every  cotton  oflficer,  high  or  low.  It  could  easily 
be  done,  for  honest  wages  are  known  to  every  one. 
That  general  or  soldier  who  comes  home  rich  over- 
much, came  not  honestly  by  his  gold.  But  I  am 
tired  of  this  cursed  thirst  for  gold.  I  hope  I  shall 
soon  be  able  to  move  to  God's  country.     Then  I  will 


478  COTTON   STEALING. 

pay  you  a  visit.  When  I  am  so  far  recovered  as  to 
be  able  to  leave  the  hospital  for  good,  I  shall  try  to 
find  something  to  do.  But  I  am  useless  enough  with 
only  one  leg  and  one  arm.  If  I  was  only  learned, 
if  I  believed  the  people  of  the  United  States  would 
listen  and  be  convinced  by  me,  I  would  travel  all 
over  the  Union  and  hold  up  my  stump,  telling  them 
cotton  did  it,  and  ask  them  to  judge  every  cotton 
officer  and  make  him  ashamed  of  his  covetousness. 
I  cannot  fight,  1  cannot  die  for  my  country  on  ac- 
count of  cotton." 

Allie  Sandison  has  learned  her  lesson.  She  has 
lost  her  mother.  Death  teaches  I  She  has  lost  her 
intended.  Love  teaches  !  She  has  lost  her  father. 
Though  yet  alive,  she  has  lost  him,  in  that  she  has 
lost  the  ideal  of  a  father's  love, — found  the  reality  in 
what  a  political,  cotton-speculating  schemer  can  give. 
She  has  seen  the  world  ;  tasted  and  found  it  hollow. 
One  thing  she  has  found  in  all  this  experience, — to 
distinguish  the  true  from  the  false  ;  and  she  loves 
Mrs.  AVirtman  with  a  child's  afi'ection,  Mr.  Wirtman 
so  much,  as  to  wish  her  father  no  politician,  but  an 
honest  man  like  liim.  Her  lesson  has  been  a  hard 
task,— has  cost  sleepless  nights,  weary,  restless  days, 

fever  in  the   heart,  throbbing  in  the  brain,    and 

tears,  often  unshed,  scalding  when  at  length  they 
would  flow.  She  has  learned  to  regard  the  loss  of 
Charles  Hardone's  love  as  a  mercy,  but  a  mercy 
which  cost  a  long  sigh — not  because  it  is  gone,  but 
because  he  was  not  what  she  loved ;  because  so  much 


COTTON    STEALING.  479 

of  her  youngest  trust  was  wasted  on  him.  Gradu- 
ally has  she  been  weaned  from  that  sorrow,  lor  she 
is  thinking  of  another. 

Back  in  childhood  she  remembered  stolen  glances 
at  school,  when  James  sat  on  the  other  side  ;  little 
kind  acts  of  school  children,  when  she  loved  to  play 
a  little  with  him.  Then,  as  she  grew  older,  the 
bashful  reserve,  lest  other  boys  and  girls  should  tease. 
Love  was  the  thought — love  was  the  feeling,  which 
ignorant,  she  knew  not.     She  knows  now. 

She  remembers  the  New  Year's  party  :  her  special 
invitation  :  clear  as  noon  day  comeback  tones  retain- 
ed in  her  ear,  tones  of  love,  and  with  the  recollection, 
the  memory  of  longing,  waiting  to  catch  them  in 
Charlie's  voice  :  a  sad  disappointment :  stronger 
words  had  failed  to  reach  her  heart,  and  she  knew  now 
it  was  James'  love  for  her  which  had  filled  the  voice, 
her  love  for  him  had  heard  the  tone,  and  that  love 
which  demanded  like  expression  only  to  be  disap- 
pointed. 

She  remembered  the  Wide  Awake  celebration  :  how 
James  led  her  from  the  crowd,  how  in  the  press,  he 
put  his  guardian  arm  and  held  her  closely  to  keep  her 
safe.  That  memory  was  a  pillow,  she,  old  as  experi- 
ence made  her,  coveted  to  rest  in,  for  it  was  love, 
an(i  she  did  not  then  know  it. 

She  remembered  the  fatal  evening  of  Charlie's 
song,  wlien  one  sensitive  word  decided  James'  course ; 
and  she  knew  now,  was  certain  now,  that  a  timid  love 
refusing  to  recognize  its  own  existence,  dare  not,  in 
Charlie's  presence,  speak  boldly  out  and  say,  "  I  love 


480  COTTON  STEALINa. 

you."  When  that  fatal  letter.,  telling  of  Charlie's 
perfidy,  came  from  Memphis,  Allie  was  tried  as  never 
before.  She  was  prostrated  by  the  mental  struggle 
which  was  combined  with  physical  weakness  produced 
by  the  poison  malaria  of  the  hot  summer  in  Memphis, 
and  the  poison  atmosphere  of  its  sweltering  hospitals. 
She  went  low,  deep  into  the  dark  valley,  from  which 
returning  health  brought  a  new  woman,  to  bow  hum- 
bly under  the  chastening  rod  which  took  to  Heaven 
her  mother. 

Hence-forward,  her  home  was  with  Mrs.  AVirtman. 
Mary  was  her  sister,  and  Henry's  child  her  pet.  One 
(lay  came  news  from  Red  River,  a  defeat.  James' 
brigade  had  stood  their  ground  and  beat  back  the 
victorious  enemy.  No  letter  from  James.  Then, 
waiting  with  a  heart-ache  for  many  a  day,  followed 
by  the  report,  "  Died  from  his   wounds  on  the  field.' 

When  the  word  came  of  her  son's  death,  Mrs. 
Wirtman  mourned  with  that  worse  than  death-grief, 
the  I-am-afraid-he-is-dead,  balancing  quickly  against 
the  I-will-not-believe-he-is-dead.  Then  Allie  Sandi- 
son  was  nearer  and  dearer  than  any  other  one,  because 
he  loved  her.  The  mother  brought  out  the  son's  let- 
ter, and  Allie  read  the  words  in  his  own  hand  writing, 
"You  may  tell  her  I  loved  her."  The  women  love 
each  other  better  the  more  they  loved  him.  They 
were  both  in  mourning  garments,  and  believed  their 
hearts  would  wear  weeds  until  they  should  also  go 
where  the  weary  rest. 

At  length  the  wounded  prisoner  reached  the  Nation- 
al lines,  was  once  more  an  inmate  of  a  national  hos- 


COTTON    STEALING.  481 

pital,  and  wrote  to  his  motlier.  Words  cannot  tell 
the  joy  in  the  house  and  in  the  heart.  The  morning 
after,  AUie  said, 

'*  Motlier,  he  is  lame  and  has  only  one  arm.  He  is 
in  a  Hospital.  Would  it  be  wrong  for  me  to  go  and 
take  care  of  him?" 

''  No,  child.     Go,  and  God  bless  you." 

"  Go,  Allie,"  said  Mr.  Wirtman.  "You  saved  my 
life,  perhaps,  you  will  save  James'.  His  heart  is 
down.  Tell  him  he  is  no  burden.  Bring  him  home. 
If  he  had  no  legs  and  no  arms,  we  would  make  an  altar 
for  his  mutilated  form,  and  worship  him  as  a  sacrifice 
for  his  country.  Bring  him  home  the  moment  he  can 
come." 

Come  into  this  hospital-tent.  Look  on  those  wound- 
ed men.  See  that  poor  maimed  man  bolstered  up 
with  a  stump  resting  on  a  rubber,  and  a  leg  upon  an- 
other, over  wliicli  two  small  bits  of  ice  are  dripping. 
His  wan  face  is  patient,  waiting,  and  he  is  thinking 
of  home,  of  mother.  A  lady  enters  with  the  nurse. 
She  is  not  fashionably  clad,  wears  the  quiet,  noiseless 
dress  of  the  hospital,  a  new  nurse.  She  looks  quickly 
from  bed  to  bed  and  hastens  to  him.  He  extends  his 
well  hand  with  one  word,  "  Allie ! " 
31 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

Richmond  is  taken.  Lee  has  surrendered.  John- 
ston's army  has  also  laid  down  its  arms.  There  is 
no  armed  opposition  east  nor  west  of  the  Mississippi, 
for  Texas  is  occupied  by  the  national  troops.  The 
war  is  over.  Cotton  is  falling,  and  the  Western 
gunboat  flotilla  is  to  be  sold  under  the  hammer. 
This  story  ends  where  it  really  began,  on  the  borders 
of  the  lake  whose  wintry  face  looked  upon  the  days 
before  the  war.  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  honest  man, 
is  again  President,  and  the  country  is  safe. 

Upon  the  high  bluff  before  alluded  to,  stands  a  cot- 
tage,— in  that  it  is  not  two  stories  high, — but  more 
like  a  Southern  planter's  home  on  the  sugar  coast,  in 
its  pillared  portico,  its  large  rooms,  and  the  comfort 
which  strikes  the  stranger,  who  passes  along  the 
smooth  green  lawn,  where  every  evening  the  lovers 
of  nature  stroll  to  gaze  upon  the  lake,  illuminated  by 
the  summer  rays  of  the  setting  sun.  There  is  a  gar- 
den of  shrubbery,  where  roses,  flowering  almonds, 
sweet  seringa  and  snow  balls  riot  in  profusion ;  and 
there  are  locust  trees,  maples  and  elms  shading  the 
side  walk,  while  a  few  steps  beyond,  at  the  edge  of 


COTTON  STEALING.  483 

the  bluff,  is  a  thriving  grove  of  young  cedars.  At 
the  foot  of  the  bluff  are  sand  hills,  sprinkled  with 
bushes,  and  several  small  ponds,  which  are  now  al- 
most covered  with  lily  pads,  soon  to  be  kissed  by  the 
water-angel  of  purity — the  Water  Lily. 

The  day  is  closing  in  beauty,  and  on  the  porch  sits 
a  soldier  just  home  from  the  wars.  He  has  not  yet 
learned  to  do  without  his  crutch,  though  he  hopes 
soon  to  do  without  a  cane  ;  and  you  will  notice,  as  he 
rises  with  his  company,  that  the  lady  by  his  side 
steps  up  and  puts  his  wounded  arm  and  empty  sleeve 
over  her  shoulder.  This  is  AlHe's  home,  and  this  is 
her  husband,  the  Corporal. 

The  Western  man  has  been   invited  here,   at  the 
close  of  the  war,  to  be  told  of  the  falsity  of  his  pre- 
dictions, and  also  to  meet  some  strangers,  who  have, 
in  passing  through  the    country,  called  to  see  the 
bride  and  ^room.     The  company  has  not  only   Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wirtman,  but  Mr.  Sandison  also  ;  and  that 
tall,  keen  looking  man  is  Kendal  La  Scheme,  while 
the  lady  talking  to  Mrs.  Wirtman  is  Leette  Hardone. 
In  the  door,  watching  the  lake,  is  Mary  Wirtman, 
looking  as  she  did  the  first  time  we  saw  her  ;  but  the 
babe  of  that  day  is  a  laughing,  frolicking  girl,  who 
makes  herself  perfectly  at  home  among  the  strangers, 
and  shies  away  with  childhood's   bashful  sport  from' 
Kendal  La  Scheme,  who  is  using  his  arts  to  win  her 
confidence. 

"Where  is  Charlie?"  James  Manet  asks  this 
question,  which  more  than  one  would  have  asked, 
had  not  various  reasons  restrained.  Leette  turns  to 
La  Scheme,    repeatinty : 


484  COTl-ON  STEALING. 

"  Kendal,  where  is  Charlie,  my  husband  ?  You 
know." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  Mrs.  Manet,  I  should  have 
told  you  before.  I  really  forgot.  The  Adjutant 
General  requested  me,  if  I  saw  or  should  meet  any 
of  his  friends  on  my  business  tour,  to  give  them  his 
best  respects,  and  apologize  for  his  inability  to  call 
himself.  When  we  left  New  York,  business  was  very 
pressing,  and  before  this  time  he  has  gone  down  the 
river  to  attend  to  the  necessary  arrangements  con- 
nected with  his  wife's  large  estates.  There  are  other 
important  matters  which  he  has  in  hand,  connect- 
ed with  the  reorganization  of  the  State.  Indeed,  it 
was  impossible  for  him  to  come.  I  hope  you  will 
excuse  him." 

"  There,  James  I  I  knew  he  would  do  it  well.  I 
told  Hardone  he  should  not  come.  You  know  La 
Scheme  of  old.     He  has  not  changed." 

"  Really,  Madame  Hardone,  I  did  not  expect  that 
from  you,  but  perhaps  you  are  better  known  in  this 
circle  than  I." 

"  Now,  I  suppose,  I  shall  be  compelled  to  tell  you 
the  whole  truth.  I  was  jealous  of  him,  and  to  quiet 
me,  he  told  me  a  he.  He  said  you,  Mrs.  Manet, 
was  dead,  making  me  give  the  Corporal  very  un- 
pleasant tidings,  which  almost  cost  his  life.  Now, 
James,  don't  say  a  word  !  You  know  how  badly  you 
felt,  and  really  Mrs.  Wirtman  I  do  believe  he  would 
have  died  had  not  Mistress  Allie  gone  so  quickly  to 
his  relief.  I  was  afraid  to  have  General  Hardone 
come  here,  for  I  knew  how  badly  it  would  make  him 


COTTON    STEALING.  486 

feel  to  see  what  a  fool  lie  was  in  his  boy-love, — no 
offence  intended,  Mrs.  Manet.  I  assure  you  I  ap- 
prove of  your  good,  final  good  judgment  I  mean,  for 
how  a  woman  could  have  chosen  to  set  one  side  such 
a  noble, — but — ah  !  the  Corporal  is  here,  and  I  will 
not  praise  before  his  face." 

Hereupon  the  Western  man,  to  introduce  a  new 
topic  of  conversation,  asked  La  Scheme, 

"  What  business  leads  you  through  this  part  of  the 
country  at  this  time?" 

Sandison  answers  for  him. 

"  He  is  looking  up  the  odds  and  ends  of  his  secret 
organizations,  K.  G.  C's.,0.  A.  K's.,  and  what  not, 
preparing  for  a  new  campaign.  Come,  La  Scheme, 
acknowledge  the  corn.  We  beat  you  fairly  at  the 
last  election." 

''You  would  not  have  beaten  us  if — " 

Before  he  could  finish  his  sentence  James  interrupt- 
ed by  saying, 

"  If  God  had  not  been  against  you." 

La  Scheme  shrugged  his  shoulders,  lifted  his  eye- 
brows, and  continued, 

" — if  it  had  not  been  for  the  Union  League.  That 
checkmated  our  plans,  and  the  fact  of  time.  We  did 
not  fairly  get  at  the  work  :  if  we  had  only  commenc- 
ed early,  or  had  a  little  more  money  you  would  have 
seen  another  result.  But  there  are  as  good  fish,  &c. 
Our  day  will  come." 

The  Western  man  again  spoke : — 

"  Then,  you  do  not  consider  the  war  ended." 

This  time  Leette  replied,    "  Ended  !     It  will  never 


486  COTTON  STEALING. 

end.  The  foundation  principles  are  eternal  !  The 
North  is  successful,  because  she  has  more  resources, 
and  more  men.  The  Confederacy  was  exhausted  and 
gave  in  for  the  moment,  her  spirit  is  unconquerable." 

"  Then,  Leette,  what  you  told  me  when  I  was  first 
wounded  and  a  prisoner  continues  true,  that  you  fight 
for  the  principle  of  aristocracy  against  a  democracy, 
the  few  against  the  many." 

''  Yes,  James,  and  we  shall  succeed.  I  would  have 
been  discouraged  liad  I  never  been  North.  Had  this 
defeat  come  upon  me  when  I  was  on  the  plantation,  I 
should  have  died.  Now,  I  can  rise  higher  than  such 
low  forebodings.  You  have  the  elements  of  our  suc- 
cess and  your  failure  in  your  midst ;  and  in  time,  our 
politicians  will  reorganize  their  battalions  and  fight 
the  battle  again.  Then,  there  will  be  no  such  word 
as  fail.  We  are  enemies  stilL  This  is  only  a  truce, 
and  the  next  time  we  come  into  battle, — beware  !" 

'^  Leette  I  Madame  Hardone  !"  said  La  Scheme, 
"  How  inconsiderate  you  are  !" 

"  Kendal  La  Scheme,  I  will  be  natural  now.  I  will 
throw  off  this  eternal  mask.  I  know  one  brave  foe, 
and  I  honor  him  enough  to  stand  boldly  before  him. 
We  are  quits  on  the  past.  I  throw  him  my  gage  for 
the  future.  If  the  world  was  full  of  such  men  there 
would  h'd  everlasting  peace." 

"Leette,"  said  James,  "I  accept  the  trial.  You 
will  fail,  because  God  has  ordained  your  failure.  Free 
institutions  and  a  free  people  will  rule  not  only  in  this 
land,  but  in  the  world.  I  grant  you  that  an  ignorant, 
unenlightened,  unchristian  people  are  subjects  of  an 


COTTON  STEALING.  487 

aristocratic   government ;  but  knowledge,  education, 
and  christian  principles   are  capable   of  self-govern- 
ment.    And  the  time  is  coming  when  the  world  shall 
be  educated,  for  God  has  promised  that  all  men  shall 
know  Ilim  from  the  least   to  the  greatest,  and   the 
world  shall  be  full  of   His  knowledge  and  His  glory. 
What  that  means  absolutely,  I  cannot  tell ;  but  it  does 
mean  that  white  men  and  black  men  shall  be  honest 
men,  pure  men,  good  men,  doing  as  they  would  others 
shall  do  to  them :  that  there  shall  be  universal  equal- 
ity, a  universal  ballot,  equal  rights  of  personal  liberty, 
personal  security,  and  personal  property :  that  free 
men  shall  bind  themselves  to  no  party,  nor  to  any  set 
of  party  principles,  but  the  truth ;  so  that  the   only 
question  before  the  world  shall  be.  What  is  truth  ? — 
Now,  I  do    not   expect   this  in  one  day,  ilor  will  the 
great  result  be  obtained   without  contest,  defeat  and 
victory.     You    throw  yourself  on  the  one  side,  and 
will  in  the  end  fail ;  because  your  cause  is  the  cause 
of  despotism,  ignorance,  and  evil.      I  put  myself  on 
the  other,  and  shall  succeed,  because  mine  is  the  cause 
of  education,  of  progress,  of  liberty,  of  universal,  hu- 
man brotherhood,  and  it  is  the  cause  of  God  !" 


RARt  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 

Wilmer 
200 


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